John F.

Kennedy- A Hero
Janai Sugars
Gr 12 English

Heroes are a vital part of the make up of society. They are a symbol of hope that not all people are bad and create a
goal for humans to aim for. Requirements of a hero vary from different culture to culture. In the western society of
contemporary times, heroes are seen as courageous people who encounter hardship but prevail against all
weaknesses and flaws which they may posses. Speaking out about what they believe to be right is seen to be a
heroic quality. Martin Luther King Jr. was a perfect example of this having staged many non-violent protests
against segregation and racial discrimination. He received the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts. Despite the many
bravery medals and prizes awarded to people with heroic qualities, true heroes do not set out to get these. They
work for justice- not recognition.

Often coming from humble backgrounds, heroes can encounter hardship and achieve greatness because they are not
afraid to work for what they want. This is why, for many people, Oprah Winfrey is a hero. Now, being in a position
of power, she has the chance to influence a great number of people to share her passion for supporting causes she
believes in. Another hero who shared the same position of social power and also had a great deal of political power
was President Kennedy. John F. Kennedy was a great influence on the 20th Century and is still seen as a hero today.

Christened John Fitzgerald Kennedy, the commonly nicknamed “JFK” was the second of nine children. He was
born May 29, 1917 to Joseph and Rose Kennedy in Brookline, Massachusetts. John never intended to pursue a
career in politics- that role was left to the first-born Joseph Kennedy- John’s older brother. When both brothers
joined the navy to fight in World War II, Joseph was tragically killed leaving John to fill his shoes. John’s own
navy ordeal was one of near-death experiences. Commanding a PT boat, he was badly hurt when attacked by a
Japanese destroyer. Despite injuries, Kennedy risked life and limb to save his men and even towed a wounded man
through dangerous waters whilst swimming to shore for his own survival’s sake. Bravery and strength, which are
displayed by John in this particular occurrence, are definite aspects of heroism.

The injury he sustained during the war was one of grave proportions. Although JFK received serious back
operations in 1944, 1954 and 1955, he remained in pain for most of his life. Publicly he concealed his sufferings to
not only his back condition but also his diagnosis of Addison’s disease which is a hormonal condition which leads
to fatigue, muscle weakness, joint pain, headache and diarrhea. It would have been easy for a man in John F.
Kennedy’s situation to have withdrawn from public view and to have lived a life of luxury, wealth and feeling sorry
for oneself but instead he chose a life of public service and those who knew him well stated that Kennedy “never
uttered a word of self-pity” and was a very selfless human being.

John Kennedy began his political career in 1946 and served for fourteen years before deciding to run for
presidency. During that time he never lost an election due to his growing popularity and his clever and persistent
campaign efforts. In January 1961, John F. Kennedy was elected as the 35th President of the United States of
America. At only 43, he was the youngest president ever elected and also the first Roman Catholic president.

Being so young and optimistic, John represented a hope for the future. His energy was refreshing and was just what
Americans needed while beginning a new decade. President Kennedy had his beliefs, and he stuck to them. One of
these was his reluctance to use military force in combat. During the Cold War with the Soviet Union, Kennedy was
committed to a non-violent solution and wanted to defeat communism, but not on the battlefield. He was eager to
contest them in the ‘Space Race’ and thought it better that their strengths be measured but economic growth and
technological advances rather than how well they could destroy each other.

John felt his duty was to the people of the United States and of the world. This was the reason he decided to take up
public office- not for personal gain. He spent a great deal of his life representing those less fortunate than him and
actively opposing injustice. For many people, working for the betterment of others instead of oneself is perceived to
be part of the heroic paradigm.

Civil rights was one of the President’s biggest priorities. He fought for an equal opportunity in education amongst
all Americans regardless of race or religion. He proposed a very bold civil rights legislation which was eventually
passed, though not while he was in office. Kennedy was widely known for his views on eliminating segregation for
good and is famously quoted,

“And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.
My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom
of man.”

During his two short years in office, the President proposed many bills and spoke out on many issues. He had the
support of the Government and the American public. Even during his failed attempt to overthrow the rule of Fidel
Castro in Cuba, who in league with the Soviet Union, had missiles which could attack American cities, he
apologized for his mistake and was determined to learn from the experience. This military ‘blunder’ could be
depicted as a sign of weakness on Kennedy’s part, but overcoming human flaws is part of the make up of a hero
which proves that JFK was indeed heroic.

In 1963, almost three years after being elected into Presidency, John Fitzgerald Kennedy was assassinated. He
received two bullet wounds (in the neck and in the head) whilst riding in a motorcade in Texas. He was the
youngest president to die and left this world with potential to be one of the greatest Presidents of the United States.
He was praised by his successor, President Lyndon B. Johnson,

“This is a sad time for all people. We have suffered a loss that cannot be weighed…”

Because of the way John F. Kennedy lived his life- with optimism, perseverance, faith, courage, selflessness,
wisdom and strength- he could be considered a hero by the standards of not only today’s society but by what has
thought to be the basis of heroism throughout world history. He overcame his weaknesses, both physical and
mental, to become one of the most outstanding political leaders that ever lived. He was someone to aspire to, and
will continue be an influential paladin in American- and universal- culture.