Thesis
It Ought to Be Possible: The Kennedy Administration, Black Radicalism, and the Civil Rights Movement, 1963
University of Iowa
Bachelor of Arts (BA), University of Iowa
Spring 2022
Abstract
In the first years of his presidency, President Kennedy did not express a deep commitment to furthering the cause for civil rights. The Administration often took steps to de-escalate race relations rather than champion Black rights. However, by June of 1963, President Kennedy announced his support for civil rights legislation that would later become the Civil Rights Act of 1964. This thesis will examine the role that a fiery meeting in May of 1963 between Attorney General Robert Kennedy and author James Baldwin had in moving the Kennedy administration to support civil rights legislation and federal involvement. With the Kennedy administration already alarmed about the growing popularity of militant radicalism among Black youth, the May 1963 meeting prompted the administration to act to avoid further alienation of Black youth. Further, this essay aims to recognize the impacts of radical Black activism on the federal government and civil rights protections of Black Americans.This thesis also seeks to challenge the now contemporary popular notions about the Kennedy administration’s fervent role in furthering civil rights, as well as acknowledging the role the federal government has played, ranging from laissez-faire to obstructionist, regarding the Civil Rights Movement and the greater American Black Freedom Struggle.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- It Ought to Be Possible: The Kennedy Administration, Black Radicalism, and the Civil Rights Movement, 1963
- Creators
- John Brennan Kamp
- Contributors
- Landon R Y Storrs (Advisor) - University of IowaLandon R Y Storrs (Mentor) - University of Iowa
- Resource Type
- Thesis
- Project Type
- Honors Thesis
- Degree Awarded
- Bachelor of Arts (BA), University of Iowa
- Degree in
- History
- Date degree season
- Spring 2022
- Publisher
- University of Iowa
- Number of pages
- 39 pages
- Copyright
- Copyright © 2022 John B. Kamp
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Honors Program; CLAS Honors Theses
- Record Identifier
- 9984273658402771
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