ra hollow. john kennedy had beeelected partly becau of his promise to secure equal ghts for black americs, yet once in office, he had sought tovoid too great an involvent in the politicly divisive struggle but evts overtook the kennys. (siren waing) in 1961, they were forced to se federal marshals intalabama torotect the freedom riders. in 1962, they were forced to send in the nationaguard to restore order at the university of misssippi. still, kennedy resisted seing strong civil rhts legislation to cgress, unwilling to ris further alienating the powerf southern conservativ blocking his domestic ogram. i was t sympathetic with the kennedys' political proems. i was sympathetic with the problems that black pple were having, and it seemed me the kennedys want it both ways. they wanteto appear to be our iends and they wanted toe the brake on our movemt. narrator: kennedy watched, along with the country, in may963