In 1962, John F. Kennedy aptly identified the root of political divisiveness and misunderstanding, calling it, “the comfort of opinion without the discomfort of thought.”
How true this rings today, when we subject facts to preconceived views and cannot agree on the same facts as the basis for debate. This sad reality has marred our public discourse for too long, and to continue on this path endangers the fundamental precept of our very nationhood: an informed, thoughtful citizenry. Which brings us back to JFK, who was born 100 years ago tomorrow.
JFK was president in a time when interest in public affairs was deep and civic engagement was high. He nurtured that climate with his soaring rhetoric and bold New Frontier initiatives — relics of a different era. Millennials like me know JFK only through history books and pop culture, but with waning engagement in community organizations and declining trust in public institutions, we would be well served to revisit his legacy in search of an antidote to the cynicism and distrust that define our times.
The centennial of JFK’s birth enables us to do just that. Indeed, while Kennedy’s inaugural call to service is familiar, it is his lesser-known speech at Vanderbilt University in 1963 that offers the remedy.
At Vanderbilt, JFK acknowledged the ongoing debate over civil rights. In time, he said, individual rights will expand until the vision first forged by the Founders is realized. But in an age of movement and change — like our own — Kennedy reminded the audience that the nation “was not founded solely on the principle of citizen-rights. Equally important, though too often not discussed, is the citizen’s responsibility.”
Privileges and responsibilities are linked; each can be neglected only at the risk of the other, and at Vanderbilt, Kennedy spoke about individual responsibilities.
All citizens are expected to be responsible citizens, “but some must be more responsible than others by virtue of their public or private position, their role in the family or community, their prospects for the future, or their legacy from the past.” Recognition of these responsibilities is realized through education, and so in particular, JFK spoke of the duties of the educated citizen.
Schools do not exist, he said, merely to give their graduates an economic advantage in life. Along with an education come responsibilities and the expectation that individual talents will be used to benefit the society that helped nourish those talents.
Of the educated citizen’s responsibilities, Kennedy highlighted three: the obligations to pursue learning, serve the public, and uphold the law. The educated citizen recognizes her limitations. Because of her humility, she is open-minded and craves knowledge. “Only an educated and informed people,” JFK noted, “will be a free people.” Thus, the educated citizen must foster better dialogue so we can continue to learn.
The educated citizen must serve the public. “He may be a precinct worker or a president,” JFK said. “But he must be a participant and not a spectator.” We cannot foster better dialogue unless we are in the arena.
All citizens must uphold the law, but the educated citizen has a greater obligation because of her greater understanding. “Any educated citizen who seeks … to suppress freedom or [denigrate others] degrades his inheritance, ignores his learning, and betrays his obligations.”
The appeal of Kennedy’s message is that it belongs to no individual or political party. Anyone has the potential to be, in spirit if not reality, an “educated citizen” — it is a choice.
So before we apply our preexisting interpretations when we learn new facts, each of us, as educated citizens, ought to experience “the discomfort of thought.” We should welcome debate, form opinions after reviewing facts, and be sincere in sharing ideas. A better discourse fosters a stronger community, and stronger community ties promote civic participation and better realization of our citizenship — the ideal antidote to recent trends.
Scott D. Reich serves on the board of advisors of the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation and is the author of “The Power of Citizenship: Why JFK Matters to a New Generation.”