As the 50th anniversary of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy approaches on Friday, his legacy and legislative contributions remain pivotal in both American life and history.
Nov. 18 marked the day conspiracy theorists for generations have anticipated: the official release of the Warren Commission’s findings. The findings of the commission charged with investigating the assassination support what most Americans have resisted accepting for years: Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone, and there was no larger purpose behind his death.
Americans have latched onto these conspiracy theories for years in an effort to understand why and how such an action could occur. I personally never wanted to accept that the world saw a great leader reach his full potential because of a lone madman.
Many adjectives were used to describe the beloved president, be it seaman, hero, husband, father or occasional philanderer — little of his life was forgotten. Arguably, no single president has left a greater mark on America and promoted such an idealistic future for our nation.
Kennedy’s support of the civil rights movement and equality for all Americans sets him apart from any of the presidents who came before him.
Although he would not live to see it in action, Kennedy gave birth to the legislation that prohibited discrimination against minorities previously accepted through Jim Crow Laws. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 was the final tie the American people had with our devious slave past. Kennedy brought the issue to the forefront and was an avid supporter of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and the like.
Most know of Kennedy’s unfaltering dedication to the civil rights movement; however, frequently understated was his dedication to women as well. Kennedy signed into law the Equal Pay Act in 1963, furthering strides to equalize the playing field in the U.S.
Furthermore, for generations before his presidency, war was a constant mainstay in U.S. life. As a World War II veteran, Kennedy recognized you could serve your nation in more than one way. His administration created the Peace Corps, furthering American interests throughout the world to promote peace.
We’re unable to reference Kennedy without acknowledging his unprecedented cultural appeal. John and Jacqueline Kennedy are the original “celebrity” first couple and really only comparable to President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama.
The Kennedy influence is undeniable and continues throughout generations.
Caroline Kennedy, daughter of President Kennedy, took her post as the American Ambassador to Japan this week. In a twist of irony, Japan is where Kennedy served during World War II and was supposed to be the first sitting president to visit the country.
Although the days of Camelot are long over, his idealism and sense of justice remains intact for generations to come.
In the 50 years since the Kennedy presidency, much has changed, but many things have stayed the same.
As the Peace Corps continues its noble work across the world, some civil rights issues he attempted to diminish continue to exist. In 2012, women continue to earn, on average, 77 cents to every dollar a man earns. In addition, the Supreme Court gutted the Voting Rights Act of 1965, a critical piece of legislation during the civil rights era.
In his few short years in office, Kennedy created a larger impact in the world than America had seen in generations before or since. His legislations and cherished causes allow us to be a nation of brothers and sisters, (mostly) indifferent to race.
America today needs another Kennedy to suppress the oppressors and further social equality in the nation.
We may never understand why Oswald stripped our nation of a truly great leader, but I truly believe that in less than three years as president, Kennedy contributed a great deal to this nation becoming an exceptional one.
Reach the columnist at jemeyer3@asu.edu or follow her on Twitter @jordanelizam.
