Wednesday, May 21, 1997
What ever happened when President Kennedy visited Hawaii? JFK gave landmark
rights speech in islesJohn F. Kennedy addressed a mayors conference here June 9, 1963. His subject was civil rights.
"I do not say that all men are equal in ability, character and motivation," Kennedy said.
"I do say that every American should be given a full chance to develop in full whatever talents he has to share equally in the American dream."
In this landmark civil rights address, President Kennedy also said, "The time for token moves and idle talk is over." He asked the mayors to be "alert, not alarmed" and to join in "guiding along constructive channels the attainment of a peaceful revolution, a peaceful revolution which will not only avoid disaster, but fulfill our highest obligations."
The president said his proposed civil rights legislation would move racial demonstrations from the streets to the courts.
He urged the mayors to adopt a five-point program: establish interracial human relations committees, eliminate local segregation laws, establish nondiscriminatory municipal labor practices, enact equal-opportunity ordinances in housing, public accommodations and employment and organize campaigns to lessen unemployment among the unskilled of all races by reducing numbers of school dropouts.