Kennedy's Inaugural Address

President John F. Kennedy did what no other president had done and challenged the citizens to question if they are doing anything to change the world together. Kennedy made this challenge as his closing statement in his 1960 Inaugural Address. He made sure to make people ask themselves what they have been doing for this country to actually change it and to see if they could work in unity as a whole country. It has been about 58 years since Kennedy gave that speech and i believe that we have somewhat succeeded to live up to his words because we stand up for what we believe, more people are voting and we volunteer. Our country is slowly but surely meeting the words of Kennedy because the people stand up for themselves when they believe something is unjust. “Ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.” Kennedy is stating that we need to work together in order to gain the freedom we want. Today we can see that we have somewhat accomplished what he was challenging the citizens to do because we have people organizing protests when the majority
population does not agree with something. One example would be the Black lives matter protest, many people gathered in different states to stand up for the police brutality that people of color were facing. This has helped bring light into matters that need to be brought up in order for change to happen. As more people become aware of presidential candidates, the voting numbers have increased.
The world has changed from not allowing minorities, including women, be able to vote to actually allowing them. “Let all our neighbors know that we shall join to oppose aggression or subversion anywhere in the Americas.” Kennedy not only wanted to let the citizens know that our nation will help them when they are facing oppression but also our neighboring countries. This would benefit both parties because that way they could help each other when in need. America has come a long way in gaining the right to allow everyone to vote and the amount of people actually voting has increased. Although some individuals do not like to vote because they believe that their vote doesn't do anything that number has slowly decreased and more people are voting because they are demanding change for the
better. Volunteer work is a small act that can make a huge difference in the world.Today, there are many events that are organized to help the communities in need. There are organizations such as The Salvation army, Homeless shelters, and local community centers that offer opportunities for a second chance to those in need. The salvation army helps provide food and clothing to those in need and when more people donate and volunteer, they help in slowly ending poverty. When i was fourteen years old, i volunteered to become a health ambassador with Corazon Community services and we went to speak with a legislator in Springfield to fight for health care for the people. This was a great experience for me because i felt like i was a voice to the people and it made me feel good to help. Volunteer work also helps in bringing communities together because kindness is a key to change. Like Kennedy challenged the citizens, if we want change, the citizens of this country have to work together in order to make a change occur. Throughout the years, change is inevitable and occurs everyday of our lives. President John F. Kennedy once challenged the citizens of this country to ask what we can do for the freedom of man and, although we have not lived up to his words successfully, we have not failed but instead laid somewhere in between. We are close to meeting his words because we have protests and movements, an increase in voters, and volunteers. Soon enough we will successfully live up to his words.