Blog 730 – 08.22.2017
Profiles In Courage, A Tribute To President JFK

In a time when many are a bit disappointed in our current President for not standing up against racial prejudices and for not standing up to the Russians for meddling in our elections I remember a President from my boyhood, a young and charismatic President who though we found out later that he was a man like most of us with weaknesses, faults and who was also quite sickly, spoke of “vigor” and courage of will and conviction and set the example for us to follow. John Fitzgerald Kennedy took the oath of office of President of the United States of America in 1961. I was ten years old at the time and heard his first speech as President live and I and many others were challenged to do something to make our country what our founding fathers believe it could be, a more perfect union where ideals such as “all men are created equal with certain inalienable rights” could be lived out and practiced. I grew up in a segregated South and was embarrassed by it but saw the promise of better things and with Martin Luther King, Jr., sweeter more equally shared dreams.

John Kennedy didn’t just talk he tried to make a difference. I believe he tried to move people to treat their brothers better. I believe he tried to stop a war that he knew would end up killing more black, brown, and yellow brothers than white. For whatever else he got wrong, I believe he got those things right and may even have died because he did and because he kept pushing for change. He was rich but spoke of vigor, courgage and giving of ourselves for the good of others. He founded the Peace Corp and many joined to help where they could. Serving, too, is selfish just in the best way – serving that greater Self we all comprise. If as the poet said, “Each man’s death diminishes me” then each man’s full and happy life increases me and mine.

The word “vigor” means strength, energy, or determination. To live a life like that as President or as an average citizen is to live a profile in courage. To JFK who did not often wear hats, my hat is off to you, Sir, my boyhood hero. May our new President live to his best and highest self as you strove to and may each of us as well.

Your friend and fellow traveler,
David White