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John F. Kennedy, Barack Obama, and the Politics of Ethnic Incorporation

Bob Cooper

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Published in John F Kennedy Barack Obama And The Politics Of Ethnic Incorporation And Avoidance (SUNY In African American Studies)

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John F. Kennedy and Barack Obama, the 35th and 44th presidents of the United States, respectively, are two of the most consequential figures in American history. Both men were charismatic leaders who inspired hope and change, and both presided over periods of significant social and political upheaval. However, their approaches to the issue of ethnic incorporation were vastly different. Kennedy's emphasis on assimilation and Obama's embrace of multiculturalism reflect the changing demographics and political landscape of the United States in the second half of the 20th century.

John F. Kennedy and the Politics of Assimilation

John F. Kennedy was born into a wealthy Irish-Catholic family in Brookline, Massachusetts. He attended Harvard College and Harvard Law School, and served in the United States Navy during World War II. After the war, Kennedy entered politics, serving in the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate before being elected president in 1960.

John F Kennedy Barack Obama and the Politics of Ethnic Incorporation and Avoidance (SUNY in African American Studies)

John F. Kennedy, Barack Obama, and the Politics of Ethnic Incorporation and Avoidance (SUNY series in African American Studies)

by Janis Mimura

4.9 out of 5

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Kennedy's presidency was marked by a strong emphasis on assimilation. He believed that immigrants should adopt the values and customs of American society, and he supported policies that promoted this goal. For example, he signed the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965, which abolished national quotas and made it easier for immigrants from all over the world to come to the United States. He also created the Peace Corps, which sent young Americans to developing countries to promote goodwill and understanding.

Kennedy's assimilationist policies were based on the belief that a unified American identity was essential for the nation's success. He argued that immigrants should not be allowed to form separate enclaves within American society, but should instead be integrated into the mainstream. This approach was consistent with the prevailing view of the time, which saw assimilation as the key to social harmony.

Barack Obama and the Politics of Multiculturalism

Barack Obama was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, to a Kenyan father and a white American mother. He attended Columbia University and Harvard Law School, and worked as a community organizer in Chicago before entering politics. Obama served in the Illinois State Senate before being elected to the U.S. Senate in 2004. He was elected president in 2008, becoming the first African American to hold the office.

Obama's presidency was marked by a strong emphasis on multiculturalism. He believed that immigrants should be able to maintain their own cultural traditions while still participating fully in American society. He supported policies that promoted this goal, such as the DREAM Act, which would have provided a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants who came to the United States as children. He also signed the Affordable Care Act, which expanded health insurance coverage to millions of Americans, including many immigrants.

Obama's multiculturalist policies were based on the belief that diversity is a strength for the United States. He argued that immigrants bring new ideas and perspectives to American society, and that their cultures should be celebrated and respected. This approach was consistent with the changing demographics of the United States, which has become increasingly diverse in recent decades.

The Changing Politics of Ethnic Incorporation

The different approaches to ethnic incorporation taken by Kennedy and Obama reflect the changing demographics and political landscape of the United States in the second half of the 20th century. Kennedy's emphasis on assimilation was consistent with the prevailing view of the time, which saw assimilation as the key to social harmony. However, by the time Obama was elected president, the United States had become a much more diverse nation, and many Americans had come to embrace a more multicultural view of society. This shift was reflected in Obama's policies, which promoted diversity and inclusion.

The changing politics of ethnic incorporation have had a significant impact on American society. Today, the United States is a more tolerant and inclusive nation than it was in the past. Immigrants are more likely to be accepted and integrated into American society, and they are more likely to maintain their own cultural traditions. This is a positive development that has made the United States a stronger and more vibrant nation.

John F. Kennedy and Barack Obama were two very different presidents who took very different approaches to the issue of ethnic incorporation. Kennedy's emphasis on assimilation was consistent with the prevailing view of the time, while Obama's embrace of multiculturalism reflected the changing demographics and political landscape of the United States. The different approaches taken by these two presidents have had a significant impact on American society, and they continue to shape the debate over ethnic incorporation today.

John F. Kennedy, Barack Obama, and the Politics of Ethnic Incorporation and Avoidance (SUNY series in African American Studies)

by Janis Mimura

4.9 out of 5