President John F. Kennedy's Civil Rights Address

Summary

In this historic speech, the speaker addresses the nation on the urgent need for civil rights reform, following racial tensions at the University of Alabama. Emphasizing the moral imperative of equality, the speech calls for legislative action to end segregation in public spaces and education. It highlights the disparities faced by African Americans, from education to employment, and urges unity and action to fulfill America's promise of freedom and justice for all, regardless of race.

Takeaways

• 🏛️ The script discusses the federal government's intervention at the University of Alabama to enforce desegregation, highlighting the importance of equal rights for all citizens.
• 👥 It emphasizes the need for self-reflection among Americans regarding racial discrimination and the moral responsibility to uphold the principles of equality.
• 🌐 The speech points out the inconsistency of fighting for freedom abroad while denying it to citizens at home, particularly in the context of the civil rights movement.
• 🏢 The necessity for equal access to public institutions, such as schools and places of accommodation, is stressed, without the need for military enforcement or demonstrations.
• 📊 The script presents stark statistics on the disparities faced by African Americans in education, employment, and life expectancy compared to white Americans.
• 🏘️ It acknowledges that segregation and discrimination are not just southern issues but are prevalent in cities across the United States, affecting public safety and social harmony.
• 🤝 The speech calls for unity and cooperation across political parties to address the moral issue of racial inequality, transcending legal and legislative boundaries.
• 📜 The president urges Congress to pass legislation that ensures public facilities are accessible to all, regardless of race, and to support lawsuits aimed at ending educational segregation.
• 🙌 It commends the efforts of citizens and business leaders who are working towards desegregation and improving conditions in their communities.
• 📣 The speech concludes with a call to action for all Americans to support the cause of equality, emphasizing that it is a collective responsibility to ensure justice and freedom for all.

Q & A

What was the main purpose of the Alabama National Guard's presence at the University of Alabama?

The main purpose was to enforce the order from the United States District Court of the Northern District of Alabama for the admission of two qualified African American students.

What did the speaker hope for every American to do in response to the incidents at the University of Alabama?

The speaker hoped that every American would stop and examine their conscience about the incident and related events, reflecting on the nation's founding principles of equality.

Why did the speaker mention Vietnam and West Berlin in his speech?

The speaker mentioned Vietnam and West Berlin to highlight the irony that while Americans of all colors serve in these places, they cannot attend public institutions or receive equal service at home without discrimination.

What was the speaker's stance on the necessity of troops to support African American students at public institutions?

The speaker expressed his disappointment that it was necessary for troops to support African American students, indicating that it should be possible for students of any color to attend public institutions without military support.

What specific rights did the speaker believe should be accessible to all Americans regardless of color?

The speaker believed that all Americans should have the right to attend any public institution they choose, receive equal service in public accommodations, and vote in free elections without interference or fear.

How did the speaker describe the disparities faced by African American babies born in America at the time of the speech?

The speaker described significant disparities, including lower chances of completing high school or college, higher unemployment rates, shorter life expectancy, and lower earning potential compared to white babies.

What was the speaker's view on the issue of segregation and discrimination being a sectional or partisan issue?

The speaker viewed segregation and discrimination not as sectional or partisan issues but as moral issues that affect every city and state and require unity and action from all citizens regardless of political affiliation.

What action did the speaker call for in response to the moral crisis facing the country?

The speaker called for action in Congress, state and local legislative bodies, and in the daily lives of all Americans to ensure equal rights and opportunities for all citizens.

What legislative actions did the speaker ask Congress to take to address racial discrimination?

The speaker asked Congress to enact legislation ensuring all Americans the right to be served in public facilities, authorize the federal government to participate in lawsuits to end segregation in public education, and provide greater protection for the right to vote.

How did the speaker emphasize the importance of community action in addressing racial inequality?

The speaker emphasized the importance of community action by paying tribute to citizens working in their communities to improve life for all and by urging all Americans to act with a sense of human decency to ensure equal rights and opportunities.

Outlines

00:00

📜 Civil Rights and Equality

The speaker addresses the audience, discussing the need for the Alabama National Guardsmen to enforce a court order for the admission of two African American students to the University of Alabama. The peaceful admission is attributed to the responsible conduct of the university students. The speaker calls for self-reflection on racial equality and highlights the ongoing struggle for civil rights, emphasizing that all men are created equal. The speech points out the disparities in opportunities and life chances between white and African American citizens, and the need for legal and moral changes to ensure equal rights and opportunities for all, regardless of race or color.

05:01

🔥 The Pursuit of Freedom and Equality

This paragraph continues the discourse on civil rights, emphasizing the urgency for the nation to fulfill its promise of freedom and equality. The speaker acknowledges the cries for equality that have grown louder, particularly in Birmingham, and the moral crisis the country faces. The speech calls for action from Congress, state legislatures, and individuals to address the lack of legal remedies for racial injustices. The speaker proposes legislation to ensure public facilities are open to all, regardless of race, and for the federal government to play a more active role in desegregating public education. The paragraph concludes with a call for change that is peaceful and constructive, and a salute to those working towards a better society.

10:04

🏛️ The Quest for a Just Society

In this final paragraph, the speaker underscores the collective responsibility of all Americans to ensure equal opportunities and rights, particularly in education and employment. The speech highlights the systemic disadvantages faced by African Americans, including higher unemployment rates, inadequate education, and limited access to public services. The speaker calls for national legislation to address these issues and for a societal shift towards fairness and decency. The speech concludes with a plea for support in creating a more equitable society where every child can develop their talents and abilities without discrimination.

Keywords

💡National Guard

The National Guard refers to the reserve military forces of a country, which can be called upon for service during times of emergency or need. In the context of the video, the Alabama National Guard was required on the University of Alabama campus to enforce a court order for the admission of two African American students, illustrating the tension and resistance to desegregation at the time.

💡Desegregation

De-segregation is the process of ending racial segregation, especially in schools, public facilities, and housing. The video discusses the necessity of desegregation, referencing the admission of African American students to the University of Alabama and the broader struggle for racial equality in public institutions.

💡Conscience

Conscience is an individual's moral sense of right and wrong, which guides their actions and decisions. The video calls on every American to examine their conscience regarding incidents of racial injustice, suggesting that personal reflection and moral responsibility are crucial in addressing societal issues.

💡Equal Rights

Equal rights refer to the principle that all individuals should have the same political, social, and civil rights. The video emphasizes the importance of equal rights for all, regardless of race or color, and highlights the disparities faced by African Americans in areas such as education, employment, and voting.

💡Discrimination

Discrimination is the unjust or prejudicial treatment of different categories of people, especially on the grounds of race, age, or sex. The video script discusses the systemic discrimination faced by African Americans, including inaccessibility to quality education, employment, and public services.

💡Civil Rights

Civil rights are the rights of citizens to political and social freedom and equality. The video addresses the struggle for civil rights, particularly for African Americans, and the need for legal and societal changes to ensure these rights are protected and enforced.

💡Segregation

Segregation is the practice of separating people of different races, typically in areas of residence, education, and public accommodations. The video discusses the negative impacts of segregation, such as the denial of equal educational and employment opportunities for African Americans.

💡Public Accommodations

Public accommodations refer to businesses and facilities that are open to the public, such as hotels, restaurants, and theaters. The video calls for equal access to public accommodations for all races, highlighting the indignity and injustice of racial discrimination in these settings.

💡Voting Rights

Voting rights are the rights of citizens to participate in the election of government officials. The video emphasizes the importance of ensuring that all citizens, regardless of race, have the right to vote without interference or fear of reprisal, which is a fundamental aspect of democratic participation.

💡Legislation

Legislation refers to the process of making or enacting laws by a legislative body. The video discusses the need for new legislation to address racial inequality and discrimination, suggesting that legal changes are necessary to ensure equal rights and opportunities for all citizens.

💡Moral Issue

A moral issue is a question or problem that involves a judgment about what is right or wrong, especially in matters of personal or social conduct. The video frames the struggle for racial equality as a moral issue, calling for a collective moral response from society to ensure justice and fairness for all.

Highlights

The presence of Alabama National Guardsmen was required to enforce a court order for the admission of two qualified African American students at the University of Alabama.

The peaceful admission of the students was largely due to the constructive conduct of the university students.

A call for every American to reflect on the incidents of racial inequality.

The founding principle of the nation is that all men are created equal, and the rights of every man are diminished when one man's rights are threatened.

The commitment to a worldwide struggle to promote and protect the rights of all who wish to be free.

The necessity for American students of any color to attend any public institution without military support.

The expectation for American consumers of any color to receive equal service in public accommodations.

The right for American citizens of any color to register and vote freely without interference.

The disparity in life chances between African American and white babies in America, including education and income.

The issue of segregation and discrimination is not sectional but exists in every city and state.

The moral issue at hand is whether all Americans are to be afforded equal rights and opportunities.

The call for unity among men of goodwill and generosity, regardless of party or politics, to address the crisis.

The need for new laws at every level, but also the recognition that law alone cannot change hearts.

The moral crisis faced by the country requires action in Congress, state legislatures, and local bodies.

The request for Congress to enact legislation ensuring all Americans the right to be served in public facilities.

The encouragement of business leaders to take voluntary action to end discrimination.

The salute to citizens working in communities to make life better for all, acting out of a sense of human decency.

The plea for every citizen's help in providing equality of treatment and educational opportunities for all children.

The responsibility of the Negro community to uphold the law and the law's responsibility to be fair.

Transcripts

good evening my fellow citizens this

afternoon following a series of threats

and defiant statements the presence of

Alabama National

godsman was required on the University

of Alabama to carry out the final and

unequivocal order of the United States

District Court of the Northern District

of

Alabama that order called for the

admission of two clearly qualified young

Alabama residents

who happen to have been born negro that

they were admitted peacefully on the

campus is due in good measure to the

conduct of the students of the

University of Alabama who met their

responsibilities in a constructive way I

hope that every American regardless of

where he lives will stop and examine his

conscience about this and other related

incidents this nation was founded by men

of many nations and backgrounds it was

founded on the principle that all men

are created equal and that the rights of

every man are diminished when the rights

of one man are threatened today we are

committed to a worldwide struggle to

promote and protect the rights of all

who wish to be

free and when Americans are sent to

Vietnam or West Berlin we do not ask for

whites

only it ought to be possible therefore

for American students of any color to

attend any public institution they

select without having to be backed up by

troops it ought to be possible for

American consumers of any color to

receive equal service in places of

public accommodation such as hotels and

restaurants and theaters and retail

stores without being forced to resort to

demonstrations in the street and it

ought to be possible for American

citizen of any color to register and to

vote in a free election without

interference or fear of

reprisal it ought to be POS possible in

short for every American to enjoy the

Privileges of being American without

regard to his race or his color in short

every American ought to have the right

to be treated as he would wish to be

treated as one would wish his children

to be treated but this is not the case

the Negro baby born in America today

regardless of the section of the state

in which he is born has about one half

as much chance of completing a high

school as a white baby born in the same

place on the same day onethird as much

chance of completing College onethird as

much chance of becoming a professional

Man twice as much chance of becoming

unemployed about 17th as much chance of

earning $110,000 a year a life

expectancy which is s years shorter and

the prospects of earning only half as

much this is not a sectional

issue difficulties over segregation and

discrimination exist in every city in

every state of the union producing in

many cities a rising tide of discontent

that threatens the public safety nor or

is this a partisan issue in a time of

domestic crisis men of goodwi and

generosity should be able to unite

regardless of party or

politics this is not even a legal or

legislative issue alone it is better to

settle these matters in the courts than

on the streets and new laws are needed

at every level but law alone cannot make

men see right we are confronted

primarily with a moral issue it is as

old as the scriptures and is as clear as

the American

Constitution the heart of the question

is whether all Americans are to be

afforded equal rights and equal

opportunities whether we are going to

treat our fellow Americans as we want to

be treated if an American because his

skin is dark cannot eat lunch in a

restaurant open to the public if he

cannot send his children for the best

public school

available if he cannot vote for the

public officials who represent him if in

short he cannot enjoy the full and free

life which all of us want then who Among

Us would be content to have the color of

his skin changed and stand in his place

who Among Us would then be content with

the councils of patience and

delay 100 Years of delay have passed

since president President Lincoln freed

the slaves yet their heirs their

grandsons are not fully free they are

not yet freed from the bonds of

Injustice they not yet not yet freed

from social and economic oppression and

this nation for all its hopes and all

its boasts will not be fully free until

all its citizens are

free we preach Freedom around the world

and we mean it and we chish our freedom

here at home but are we to say to the

world and much more importantly to each

other that this is a land of the free

except for the Negroes that we have no

second class citizens except Negroes

that we have no class or cast system no

ghettos no master race except with

respect to

Negroes now the time has come for this

nation to fulfill its promise the events

in Birmingham and elsewhere have so

increased the cries for equality that no

city or state or legislative body can

prudently choose to ignore them the

fires of frustration and Discord are

burning in every city north and south

where legal remedies are not at hand

redress is sought in the streets in

demonstrations parades and protests

which create tensions and threaten

violence and threaten lives we Face

therefore a moral crisis as a country

and a People it cannot be met by

repressive police action it cannot be

left to increase demonstrations in the

streets it cannot be quieted by token

moves or talk it is a time to act in the

Congress in your state and local legisl

body and above all in all of our daily

lives it is not enough to pin blame on

others to say this is a problem of one

section of the country or another or

deplore the facts that we Face a great

change is at hand and our task Our

obligation is to make that Revolution

that change peaceful and constructive

for all those who do nothing are

inviting shame as well as violence those

who act boldly are recognizing right as

well as

reality next week I shall ask the

Congress of the United States to act to

make a commitment it is not fully made

in this Century to the proposition that

race has no place in American life or

law the federal Judiciary has upheld

that proposition in a series of

forthright cases the executive branch

has adopted that proposition in the

conduct of its Affairs including the

employment of federal Personnel the use

of Federal facilities and the sale of

federally financed housing but there are

other necessary measures which only the

Congress can provide and they must be

provided at this session the old code of

equity law under which we live commands

for every wrong a remedy but in too many

communities in too many parts of the

country wrongs are inflicted on negro

citizens and there are no remedies at

law unless the Congress acts their only

remedy is the

street I am therefore asking the

Congress to enact legislation giving all

Americans the right to be served in

facilities which are open to the public

hotels restaurants theaters retail

stores and similar establishments this

seems to me to be an elementary right

its denial is an arbitrary indignity

that no American in 1963 should have to

endure but many do I've recently met

with scores of Business Leaders urging

them to take voluntary action to end

this discrimination and I've been

encouraged by their response and in the

last two weeks over 75 cities have seen

progress made in desegregating these

kinds of facilities but many are

unwilling to act alone and for this

reason Nationwide legislation is needed

if we are to move this problem from the

streets to the court I'm also asking

Congress to authorize the federal

government to participate more fully in

lawsuits designed to end segregation in

public

education we have succeeded in

persuading many districts to desegregate

voluntarily dozens have admitted Negroes

without violence today a negro is

attending a state supported institution

in every one of our 50 States but the

pace is very slow too many negro

children entering segregated graes

schools at the time of the Supreme

Court's decision 9 years ago willena

segregated high schools this fall having

suffered a loss which can never be

restored the lack of an adequate

education denies the Negro a chance to

get a decent job the orderly

implementation of the Supreme Court

decision therefore cannot be left solely

to those who may not have the economic

resources to carry the legal legal

action or who may be subject to

harassment

other features will be also requested

including greater protection for the

right to vote but legislation I repeat

cannot solve this problem alone it must

be solved in the homes of every American

in every Community across our country in

this respect I want to pay tribute to

those citizens North and South who've

been working in their communities to

make life better for all they are acting

not out of sense of legal duty but out

of a sense of human decency like our

Soldiers and Sailors in all parts of the

world they are meeting Freedom's

Challenge on the firing line and I

salute them for their honor and their

courage my fellow Americans This is a

problem which faces us all in every city

of the north as well as the South today

there are Negroes

unemployed two or three times as many

compared to whites inadequate education

moving into the large cities unable to

find work young people particularly out

of work without hope denied the Equal

Rights Deni the opportunity to eat at a

restaurant or a lunch counter or go to a

movie theater denied the right to a

decent education denied almost today the

right to attend a State University even

though qualified seems to me that these

are matters which concern us all not

merely presidents or congressmen or

Governors but every citizen of the

United States this is one country it has

become one country because all of us and

all the people who came here had an

equal chance to develop their talents we

cannot say to 10% of the population that

you can't have that right your children

can't have the chance to develop

whatever talents they have that the only

way that they're going to get their

rights is to go in the street and

demonstrate I think we owe them and we

owe ourselves a better country than that

therefore I'm asking for your help in

making it easier for us to move ahead

and to provide the kind of equality of

treatment which we would want ourselves

to give a chance for every child to be

educated to the limit of his talents as

I've said before not every child has an

equal Talent or an equal ability or

equal motivation but they should have

the equal right to develop their talent

and their ability and their motivation

to make something of themselves we have

a right to expect that the Negro

Community will be responsible will

uphold the law but they have a right to

expect that the law will be fair that

the constitution will be C blind as

Justice Holland said at the turn of the

century this is what we're talking about

and this is a matter which concerns this

country and what it stands for and in

meeting it I ask the support of all of

our citizens thank you very

much