Weekly Reflection: “Where Were You When…?”

Nov 21, 2023

This week marks the 60th anniversary of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy on November 22, 1963 in Dallas, TX. For people of my generation, there is a familiar question, “Where were you when you heard that President Kennedy had been shot?” I can still remember my second grade teacher sharing that sad news with our class. Yet just a few months before his tragic death, President Kennedy delivered two of the most important and historic speeches of his time in office. On June 10, 1963, he delivered a speech at American University about pursuing peace amid the tensions of the Cold War. The following evening, he delivered a speech on Civil Rights from the Oval Office.

When he became President in January 1961, John Kennedy was not focused on either pursuing peace with the Soviet Union or advancing civil rights for Black Americans. But by the spring of 1963, experiences had shaped him into a leader who could change and grow. The early 1960’s was a time of turmoil that included historic developments such as lunch counter sit-ins, Freedom Rides, the Cuban Missile Crisis, and the Birmingham Campaign among others. President Kennedy came to see that he needed to provide clear leadership that would challenge America to live more fully into our founding principles of freedom and justice for all. So in those two speeches, he called for building a future characterized by diplomatic efforts for peace abroad and commitment to eliminating racial segregation and injustice at home. In the 60 years since then, his untimely death has overshadowed his growth and commitment to peace and justice.

The first video posted below is a reflection on the speech at American University, and the second video is excerpts from the speech on Civil Rights. Please take time to view the videos and reflect not only on the life of President Kennedy but also on our own call to continue growing and changing in ways that advance peace and justice for all.