Kennedy, John F. (Administration)

President John F. Kennedy promised much, but he did not have the opportunity to follow through with many of his promises because of his assassination. However, one of the areas in which Kennedy did make a large impact was his work for the poor. During the Kennedy years, some groups that had formerly been discriminated against made breakthroughs and found their opportunity to realize the American dream.

After reading an article by social commenter Michael Harrington, titled “The Other America,” President Kennedy was inspired to begin planning for a War on Poverty. The article laid out the plight of the poor in a compelling way that made Kennedy conscious of the one-fifth of his nation that fell below the poverty line, and he ordered his economic ...