Before JFK was elected in 1960, segregation was a huge problem. In most southern states you would have to pass a literacy test to vote (JFKlibray.org staff). Southern states did this intentionally because they knew seven out of ten blacks were illiterate (nces.ed.gov). Even though preventing blacks from voting was declared unconstitutional Mississippi still made laws to hinder the blacks from voting. For example, the state of Mississippi passed a poll tax, you had to pay taxes for two years to be able to vote (“Race and Voting in The Segregated South”). Since most blacks didn't pay taxes they couldn't vote.

Segregation wasn't the only thing blacks had to worry about. Many black would get attacked just walking down the street. One instance is that teenager Emmett Till was brutally murdered for seemingly no reason (“The Kennedys and Civil Rights”). Even when blacks would peacefully protested, they would still get brutally beaten; such as when protesters tried to march from Selma to Montgomery they were stopped by policemen and brutally attacked, 50 of the protesters were critically injured (“Civil Rights and Nonviolence”). …show more content…
His character and quick decision making skills most likely came from serving in the navy with his brother (“John F. Kennedy: World War II Naval Hero to President”). Initially kennedy would not be accepted into the navy because of his bad back, however he was related to the U.S ambassador for england at the time, so he helped him get into the navy (“John F. Kennedy: World War II Naval Hero to President”). His heroic actions in the navy gave him the highest medal of honor, and for his wounds sustained by battle he was awarded the purple heart (“John F. Kennedy receives medals”). His medals and war experience definitely helped him win over voters in the