On this day in 1963, President John F. Kennedy issues presidential proclamation 3542, forcing Alabama Governor George Wallace to comply with federal court orders allowing two African-American students to register for the summer session at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa. The proclamation ordered Wallace and all persons acting in concert with him to cease and desist from obstructing justice.
The battle between Kennedy and Wallace brought to a head the long, post-Civil War struggle between the federal government and recalcitrant southern states over the enforcement of federal desegregation laws. Kennedy, a Catholic, considered racial segregation morally wrong. As of 1963, Alabama was the only state that had not integrated its education system. From the time of his gubernatorial campaign in 1962 until this day in 1963, Wallace had boldly proclaimed that he would personally stand in front of the door of any Alabama schoolhouse that was ordered by the federal courts to admit black students.
In response to Wallace’s rhetoric, Kennedy sent his brother, Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, on April 25 to negotiate with Wallace; the talks failed. The Kennedy brothers, having decided that they were dealing with a raving maniac, looked for an indirect solution. JFK appealed to Alabama business leaders and influential politicians to talk sense into Wallace. On May 21 and again on June 5, the U.S. district court ordered Wallace to allow the students to register on June 11.
Wallace dug in and refused, hoping to force JFK to call up the National Guard, an act Wallace was sure would infuriate staunch states’ rights supporters and paint JFK as a tyrant. Robert Kennedy wanted his brother to go ahead and federalize the Alabama National Guard and arrest Wallace, but the president feared that such an action would play into Wallace’s hands. So, the president waited for Wallace to make the first move.
On the morning of June 11, the day the students were expected to register, Wallace stood in front of the University of Alabama campus auditorium flanked by Alabama state troopers while cameras flashed and recorders from the press corps whirred. Kennedy, at the White House, and Deputy Attorney General Nicholas Katzenbach, in Tuscaloosa, kept in touch by phone. When Wallace refused to let the students enter for registration, Katzenbach phoned Kennedy.
Kennedy upped the pressure on Wallace, immediately issuing Presidential Proclamation 3542, which ordered the governor to comply, and authorizing the secretary of defense to call up the Alabama National Guard with Executive Order 11111. That afternoon, Katzenbach returned with the students and asked Wallace to step aside. Wallace, knowing he was beaten, relented, having saved face with his hard-line, anti-segregation constituency. Three days later, a third black student registered at the University of Alabama campus in Huntsville without interference.
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Those people who are in the business of demonizing white males should pay close attention to this event in history. Kennedy had the support of a large swath of White American males and not just those in the Justice Department.
Appear to me that Demographics are a critical nature. Blacks are 13%, Mexican is 25% and Whites are 63 (relative.ly speaking). Education equality appear to be not an objective for equality of color or race. Opportunity appears to be not the objective. Power and Quantity of Color and Race.
Like who understand the White color and race Economically, Psychologically and Socially? Like these factors do not exist in every color and race and in the entire body of color and races.
My point is color and race should be neutralized not Socially or Psychologically programmed. The color of skin and place of origin is simply Nature and Nature’s God. Nothing born of human behavior. We are all humans of the same species. There is no advantage that any human brings into this World or leaves with that human. Be it Bill Gates or a new born human.
JFK was not the first President to interfere with the judicial process, but he and Ike set a precedent for interference whenever the SJWs got upset….Didn’t do him any good either..
True JFK integrated public schools, buses, streets in Fountains. I still witnessed in 1966 in the Deep South.
That being said you can barely tell JFK and RFK integrated the south and the timing of enforcing the Law. Is some what in question, to me, as when I actually became reality.
Appears to me that Color and Race are once again becoming more critical or pushed beyond the actual statistical representation of Quotas for Advantage of some Color and Race. Like White Race does not have a Name or Status that interferes with Opportunity. Like Obama Color did not Face the same obstacle or JFK in Religion. Both succeeded w/o interference by the STATE. Enforcement appears to lag behind instead of the execution of the Rule of Law. Puting Color and Race above Abilities seems not be beneficial IMO.
Giving start up business loans equally to all Color and Race, etc.
It truly all comes down to private property rights. Government schools, government buildings, government drinking fountains, etc. ALL require that monies be STOLEN from everyone for their existence and operation. EVERYONE, therefore, must be allowed to use them. The APPROPRIATE sections of the Civil Rights Act, were those that finally corrected the injustice of GOVERNMENT’S discrimination against certain folks.
But therein lies both the problem AND the solution. If government operates nothing, owns nothing, controls nothing, etc. and PREVENTS NO ONE from operating whatever they wish (business, park, hospital, etc.), then there is no need for any of this garbage. Nobody is stolen from, everyone can operate competitive businesses, etc. that cater to whomever they wish, and everyone retains their rights to use and dispose of their property and their labor as THEY see fit.
Property rights effectively died in 1965. What is going on now is just lots of stomping on their grave.
I am not sure I totally agree or disagree.
I see no issue in City, State and Federal Parks, National Monuments, Forest Service, etc. As well as Ambulances, Fire Departments, and Military.
I think Teddy Roosevelt was right to Protect some of the most spectacular Beauty of America for future generations. Not sure we need 1 cow patty in every yard of America.
I also think Teddy Roosevelt stopping State Militia and National Guard from executing Miners and Miner Families from striking for 8 hour days, 40 hour weeks and child Labor Abuses was also correct.
Kennedy was wrong.
And now look at the mess he created.
I disagree. I witnessed the 1966 street sign and behavior at Fort Polk. I saw 1 black soldier defend themselves from 3 white soldiers. I required 3 guys holding me down as the Sheriff through the black GI into the Wall all the way to the Court House. Maybe because I respect the right of the individual and not the GANG, Group, Click, etc. Be it Color, Race, etc. The individual Right protected equally. Not the K12, Team, etc.
That being said: I do not think that is the ADVANTAGE of Color, Race, Gender or Sex being pursued today.
As you disagreed to JFK’s action. I see this new resurgence of Color, Race and any physical materail category as just SEEKING Advantage over others. Be it Mason’s, Jocks, or what ever.
Corporate Interference? Appears to me this MOVEMENT is much more SOCIAL, PSYCHOLOGICAL and POLITICAL that corporate.
Example in 1966 when I started IT and long before Behavioral PSYCHOLGY and AFFIRMATIVE Actions. I worked with educated Blacks with better credentials and ability than myself.
So where are we TODAY and Why?