Stamped from the Beginning

Stamped from the Beginning

by

Ibram X. Kendi

John F. Kennedy Character Analysis

The 35th U.S. President, from 1961 until his assassination in 1963. In his bid for the presidency he generally tries to avoid the topic of civil rights as he fears that it might hurt his chances of election. He even goes so far as to add the anti-civil-rights politician Lyndon Johnson to his ticket as Vice President. As President, he comes to see the unrest in the U.S. over civil rights as damaging the country's reputation, and he begins to move to pass civil rights legislation. However, he is assassinated before the legislation can pass.
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John F. Kennedy Character Timeline in Stamped from the Beginning

The timeline below shows where the character John F. Kennedy appears in Stamped from the Beginning. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 29: Massive Resistance
Discrimination, Racist Ideas, and Ignorance Theme Icon
Segregationists and Assimilationists vs. Antiracists  Theme Icon
Media, Institutions, and the Transmission of Knowledge Theme Icon
The Illogic of Racism Theme Icon
...and his emphasis on Christianity. In the first ever televised presidential debate, Democrat John F. Kennedy tries to mention civil rights as little as possible and names the civil rights opponent... (full context)
Discrimination, Racist Ideas, and Ignorance Theme Icon
Segregationists and Assimilationists vs. Antiracists  Theme Icon
Media, Institutions, and the Transmission of Knowledge Theme Icon
The Illogic of Racism Theme Icon
...Concerned with the ongoing damage racist discrimination is causing to the U.S.’s global reputation, the Kennedy administration moves to pass civil rights legislation. The day before King delivers his iconic “I... (full context)
Chapter 30: The Act of Civil Rights
Discrimination, Racist Ideas, and Ignorance Theme Icon
Segregationists and Assimilationists vs. Antiracists  Theme Icon
...through its complicity in ongoing racism, the entire U.S. is “guilty of this murder.” President Kennedy launches an investigation into the bombing, but within weeks he is assassinated in Dallas, Texas.... (full context)