By Frank Calcutta, Wagner College Class of 2018
“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.”-John F. Kennedy
This quote by John Kennedy, given on a Thanksgiving Day, can be applied to the former President as a leader who practiced what he preached. In many ways, the man’s actions prove that he lived by his beliefs. John Kennedy was a staunch advocate for both civil and international liberty. He fought for equality and justice and expressed his visions, goals and aspirations during the Civil Rights Movement. He is also credited for his peacekeeping efforts during the Cold War. One indication that Kennedy was a principled man was the fact that he was able to initiate one very long-awaited piece of legislation, the Civil Rights’ Act. This act ensured desegregation. JFK will never be forgotten for being a man of his word.
Background
John Fitzgerald Kennedy was born on May 29, 1917 in Brookline, Massachusetts. At the age of fourteen, he enrolled in a boarding school in Connecticut. Afterward, he attended Princeton University, but was forced to leave due to illness. After a year recuperation period, the young Kennedy was admitted to Harvard where he graduated cum laude. Later on, he pursued a graduate degree in business administration at Stanford University. Kennedy registered for the US draft, and he was assigned to the US Navy. He courageously served his country during World War II from 1941-1945. After leaving the military, Kennedy then began his political career. In 1946, he was elected to the House of Representatives from the Massachusetts 11th district and remained in that office until 1953. From January 3, 1953 to 1960, JFK served as a Senator from the same state. Kennedy married Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy in 1952, but health issues plagued him. 2 years after his marriage, he had back surgery, developed an infection, and slipped into a coma. He was near death; however, after several months, he recovered and resumed his political responsibilities. In 1962, John F. Kennedy was inaugurated as the 35th President of the United States.
Major Accomplishments
John F. Kennedy was the first Catholic to be elected to the office of the US presidency. At the time, religious affiliation was often a detriment for a candidate; yet, Kennedy rose to popularity and won the confidence of voters. In this respect, his election is considered to have been a major accomplishment. As President, Kennedy is known for several other notable achievements. His expertise in handling the Cuban Missile Crisis earned him a favorable rating. This event could have led to nuclear war between the Soviet Union and the US, but it was averted due to JFK’s cautious and sensible approach.
On the national level, John Kennedy was a very prominent leader, as well. His support for a space exploration program led to the success of the United States in the Space Race. In 1961, he stood before Congress to deliver a special message on urgent national needs. He asked congress for $7 billion to $9 billion over the next five years for the space program, saying that “this nation should commit itself to achieving the goal, before the decade is out, of landing a man on the moon and returning him safely to the earth.” Even though the landing a man on the moon was not completed until after his death, Kennedy was a true catalyst to space exploration of the United States.
In addition, Kennedy is responsible for establishing the Peace Corps, a volunteer organization that travels internationally to help the needy and distressed. Today, the Peace Corps is still in existence consisting of thousands of volunteers. Perhaps, JFK is most noted for his inspiration and motivation in regard to the American people. For example, in his Inauguration Speech he said, “And so my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.” This statement demonstrates Kennedy’s sense of national pride and his commitment toward securing America’s future through citizen involvement.
Kennedy surrounded himself with people that helped his cause. He showed this through the appointment of Lyndon B. Johnson as Vice President and Robert Kennedy as Attorney General. Johnson contributed to Kennedy’s campaign by increasing popularity among voters in the south, where Kennedy was not highly respected. Robert Kennedy contributed to John F. Kennedy’s campaign by giving a speech in Georgia, that clearly stated that the U.S. was to stand firm on their beliefs of civil rights. He said, “We will not stand by or be aloof. We will move. I happen to believe that the 1954 [Supreme Court school desegregation] decision was right. But my belief does not matter. It is the law. Some of you may believe the decision was wrong. That does not matter. It is the law.”
Leadership Skills
John Kennedy was one of the greatest communicators of all time. Although he won the presidency by only a small margin over Dwight D. Eisenhower, he quickly gained popularity throughout America. The idea that leaders are not necessarily born, but made, typifies JFK. Not only did he study at three of the nation’s best universities, but he was also able to relate to the American people. During his speeches, some of his own culture showed. He went so far as to wear a back brace for posture so that his physical appearance was conducive to effective communication. Very importantly, Kennedy proved that he was able to learn from his mistakes and come back even stronger. This was evident when Kennedy changed his approach in handling the Cuban Missile Crisis after the Bay of Pigs failure. Another outstanding quality displayed by John F. Kennedy was his fairness. He believed in social equality. In his Civil Rights Address, Kennedy spoke of the necessity to promote and protect the rights of all men. He was clearly honest when he admitted, “African Americans had a 50% less chance of graduating high school and a 33% less chance of attending college than white Americans. As a result, Kennedy was committed to reforming racial injustices.
Leadership Lessons
When studying John Kennedy’s leadership style, one can easily learn that perfection is not easily attainable and that all people are capable of making mistakes. One of Kennedy’s famous errors was the Bay of Pigs invasion. After this folly, he made a remarkable comeback when he chose to blockade Cuba instead of invasion. It is also evident that leaders are shaped through hard work, attention to details, and the relentless pursuit of one’s goals.
Criticism
“Conformity is the jailer of freedom and the enemy of growth.” These words, once spoken by JFK, raise skepticism about his sincerity because he was known for his conformed approach to the Civil Rights Movement for fear of losing votes. Although John Kennedy was an advocate for the goals and aspirations of the Civil Rights Movement, he also resisted activists’ requests to strengthen the government’s involvement in the African American struggle. Once again, he feared lack of support if he did so. In addition, Kennedy appointed well-known judges to the Judiciary Branch. This frustrated members of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) including one of their leaders, John Lewis. Lewis commented on Kennedy’s address saying, “Too little, too late.” I strongly disagree with this remark because JFK’s address had a great effect on the American public, although the speech may have been rather untimely. I do; however, agree with the quote in Chapter 5 of Farber’s, “The Age of Great Dreams.” It says, “The Civil Rights Act and the Voting Act do transform the US racial landscape , but fail to address the needs of urban blacks or an eruption of violence in the North.” Since both of these acts authorized federal intervention to ensure desegregation, they certainly increased the power of the Civil Rights Movement in America.
Relevance
John F. Kennedy was true advocate for liberty. He fought for what he believed in regardless of the harsh criticism he may have endured for his mistaken judgements, but it is the reaction to those mistakes that really matters. Kennedy is looked up to as a leader because of his effectiveness as a public communicator with cognitive style and emotional intelligence.
Social issues and injustices still prevail in our culture today. America is often referred to as the “land of the free,” but as the nation grows in population, the term does not seem to apply to everyone. It takes a strong democracy to address the needs of such a diverse nation. Throughout US history, lawmakers who represent the citizens of our country have fought to uphold the Civil Rights clause of the Constitution. Just as John Kennedy acted on the issue of social justice, so do the many lawmakers and citizens of the twenty-first century hope to make a difference regarding current civil rights issues.
About the Author:
My name is Frank Calcutta and I was born in Staten Island, New York. My parents are Frank Anthony Calcutta and Annie Belfiore. I currently am a part of the Wagner College Class of 2018. I also am a part of the football program.
Work Sited
Farber, David. The Age of Great Dreams: America in the 1960’s. New York: Hill and Wang, 1994
Kreiser, Christine M. 2013. “JFK: trials, triumph and tragedy: the presidency of John F. Kennedy was momentous and consequential far beyond its horrific denouement in Dallas.” American History no. 5: 40. Academic OneFile, EBSCOhost (accessed October 22, 2014).
Logsdon, John M. 2011. “John F. Kennedy’s space legacy and its lessons for today.” Issues In Science And Technology no. 3: 29. Opposing Viewpoints in Context, EBSCOhost (accessed October 22, 2014).
Meagher, Michael, and Larry Dale Gragg. John F. Kennedy : A Biography. Santa Barbara: Greenwood, 2011. eBook Collection (EBSCOhost), EBSCOhost (accessed October 22, 2014).
RIDINGER, SETH M. 2013. “John F. Kennedy: Public Perception and Campaign Strategy in 1946.” Historical Journal Of Massachusetts 61, no. 2: 112-135. America: History & Life, EBSCOhost (accessed October 22, 2014).