John F. Kennedy and the Civil Rights Movement Essay -- Black Civil Rig

In 1960, John F. Kennedy was elected president of the United States. During his campaign he had promised to lead the country down the right path with the courteous rights driving force. This campaign promise had brought hope to many African-Americans throughout the nation. Ever since Lincoln, African-Americans have tended to side with the democrats and this election was no different. The Kennedy administration had noticed that the key to the presidency was part the civil rights issue. While many citizens were on Kennedys side, he had his share of opposition. Malcolm X differed on the view of the President and observed that the civil rights movement wasnt happening at the speed Kennedy had pledged. Malcolm X possessed other reasons for his dislike of John F. Kennedy and his brothers, especially Robert. The Kennedy presidency stood for racial liberalism and Malcolm X argued their true intentions for the civil rights movement werent in the best interest of the black population. This tension streamed both ways. John Kennedy and the Federal Bureau of Investigation felt that Malcolm X had become a threat to national security. James Baldwin has written essays that have included the repeated attacks on the white liberal and supports Malcolm in many of his theories and actions.Malcolm X became one of the leadership figures during the civil rights movement with his great ideas and speaking abilities. Elijah Muhammad and Malcolm X led the Nation of Islam in the United States. The Nation existed as a growing organization and the government felt that it would turn into a violent association. The FBI became intensely interested in Malcolm after his joining with Elijah Muhammad and began to tap Malcolm X and try to find charges against him so he... ...s an referenceWorks CitedBaldwin, James. Down at the Cross. 1995. James Baldwin Collected Essays. Ed. Toni Morrison. New York Library of America, 1998296-347.---. To Be Baptized. 1995. James Baldwin Collected Essays. Ed. Toni Morrison. New York Library of America, 1998 404-474.---. innocence Mans Guilt. 1995 James Baldwin Collected Essays. Ed. Toni Morrison. New York Library of America, 1998 722-727.Civil Rights. Congressional Quarterly Almanac 17 (1961) 81.Evanzz, Karl. The Judas Factor The Plot to Kill Malcolm. NY Thunders Mouth, 1992.Handler, M.S. Malcolm X Scores Kennedy on Racial Policy. New York Times 17 May 196314.Jenkins, Robert, ed. The Malcolm X Encyclopedia. Westport, CT Greenwood, 2002.Schlesinger, Jr., Arthur M. A Thousand Days John F. Kennedy in the White House. Boston Houghton Mifflin, 1965.