Radio and Television Report to the American People on Civil Rights,” President John F. Kennedy

Question

The following passage is a transcript of a radio and television address made by President John F. Kennedy on June 11, 1963, when the first African American students were admitted to the University of Alabama. Read the passage, in which President Kennedy uses the language of his day. Then, answer the question(s).

(1) Good evening, my fellow citizens:

(2) This afternoon, following a series of threats and defiant statements, the presence of Alabama National Guardsmen was required on the University of Alabama to carry out the final and unequivocal order of the United States District Court of the Northern District of Alabama. That order called for the admission of two clearly qualified young Alabama residents who happened to have been born Negro. That they were admitted peacefully on the campus is due in good measure to the conduct of the students of the University of Alabama, who met their responsibilities in a constructive way.

(3) I hope that every American, regardless of where he lives, will stop and examine his conscience about this and other related incidents. This Nation was founded by men of many nations and backgrounds. It was founded on the principle that all men are created equal, and that the rights of every man are diminished when the rights of one man are threatened. . . .

(4) . . . We face, therefore, a moral crisis as a country and a people. It cannot be met by repressive police action. It cannot be left to increased demonstrations in the streets. It cannot be quieted by token moves or talk. It is a time to act in the Congress, in your State and local legislative body and, above all, in all of our daily lives. It is not enough to pin the blame on others, to say this is a problem of one section of the country or another, or deplore the facts that we face. A great change is at hand, and our task, our obligation, is to make that revolution, that change, peaceful and constructive for all. Those who do nothing are inviting shame, as well as violence. Those who act boldly are recognizing right, as well as reality.

Two-Part Question
Part A
Multiple Choice Question
The following question has two parts. Answer Part A first, and then Part B.
Part A What is President Kennedy’s main purpose for writing and delivering this speech?
A.
to inform the nation about the situation that unfolded at a university
B.
to persuade the nation to support the movement toward racial justice
C.
to entertain the nation with an exciting moment of triumph for civil rights
D.
to explain to the nation the legal process behind desegregation of admissions
Part B
Multiple Choice Question
Part B Which sentence from the speech best supports the answer to Part A?
A.
That order called for the admission of two clearly qualified young Alabama residents who happened to have been born Negro. (paragraph 2)
B.
That they were admitted peacefully on the campus is due in good measure to the conduct of the students of the University of Alabama, who met their responsibilities in a constructive way. (paragraph 2)
C.
This Nation was founded by men of many nations and backgrounds. (paragraph 3)
D.
A great change is at hand, and our task, our obligation, is to make that revolution, that change, peaceful and constructive for all. (paragraph 4)

Answer 1

Part A
The correct answer is B. to persuade the nation to support the movement toward racial justice. President Kennedy's speech emphasizes the moral crisis the nation faces regarding civil rights and calls for action to make changes in a peaceful and constructive manner.

Part B
The sentence that best supports the answer to Part A is D. A great change is at hand, and our task, our obligation, is to make that revolution, that change, peaceful and constructive for all. (paragraph 4) This sentence highlights the need for collective action toward racial justice, reinforcing the persuasive nature of his message.