Why Was John F Kennedy Hesitant

John F Kennedy was very hesitant in the issue of Civil Rights. Kennedy's main issue was if he helped African Americans, then he would lose white supporters. Many people remember Kennedy for his crucial part in the space program and his assassination, but few people remember his role in the advancement of equality and the desegregation of the schools. Despite the fact the Kennedy was hesitant to act he did however support The Civil Rights legislation.
Despite supporting the Civil Rights movement, Kennedy had little experience with black issues and scarcely any black friends. Kennedy's election was heavily influenced by the black vote. During Kennedy's inaugurate parade, an all-white Coast Guard unit saluted, which made Kennedy mad (Harrison).
Kennedy wanted to deal with racism because he was in a battle with Moscow to look more favorable to 3rd world countries and he was disgusted by the atrocities that were taking place over the issue of equality (Dallek). Over time Kennedy grew annoyed with the lack of action being taken to address the issue of equality, as a result Kennedy decided to give a televised speech to the nation, with only six hours of preparation, announcing his Civil Rights bill on June 11, 1963. The televised speech had a heartfelt appeal of a moral cause, given he talked some of the speech extemporaneously, "We are confronted primarily with a moral issue" (Dallek). As a result, most Americans approved of the federal government's strong but restrained
However, the bill would ensure anyone with a six grade education their right to vote. The proposed law would end discrimination on the basis of skin color in all places of public accommodation. Kennedy also asked for an end to job discrimination and expanded funds for job training, Kennedy did this to also fulfill one of his campaign promises (Dallek). Kennedy was also hesitant with Civil Rights protests, to combat this fear Kennedy asked Walter Reuther to arrange substantial white participation by Church and Labor Union members to show that not only African Americans were interested in Civil Rights. The prospects of Kennedy's recently proposed bill were still uncertain, at the same time, Kennedy understood that unless the government acted boldly to change things, African Americans would lose all hope that the government would ever fully support their claims to equality and certain inalienable rights. If Kennedy didn’t fix the issue of racism, then outraged African Americans would have to resort to Civil Strife which as a result would injure the national well-being, embarrass the country before the world and its rivals, and jeopardize the Kennedy precedency which already had a slow start