JFK

The JFK field trip gave me a better understanding of what we've been learning in class, and it was very helpful. I learned many things that I didn't know about Kennedy throughout the musuem such as the fact that he helped the mentally retarded. Kennedy had a mentally retarded sibling whom he continuously helped and supported. The mentally retarded were not treated good so Kennedy was emulated in society. Also, I learned how people would speak to the president. We listened to a recording of a telephone call between the president and a racist, and it was interesting how the man spoke to Kennedy. Kennedy wanted to pursue equal rights, and this man was against freedom rides and hope for African Americans, as he was stating it to the president on the phone. Lastly, I learned that JFK was very interested in sailing and won a sailing competition. There was a display with his competition trophy and many pictures of him and his brother in different sailing boats.

The most interesting part of the field trip was when we watched the movie about JFK's life in the auditorium. The movie explained JFK's life and background before we went around and looked at all his displays. It provided a life summary and I got to know him better rather than just what he did in his presidency. I learned a lot about his family, life, and accomplishments. After the movie, I felt like I knew him better as I looked at all of the displays.

The only suggestion to improve would be a shorter time in the classroom at the beginning. Most of the information was very interesting, but we could be doing the same things in the classroom at school. I think we should have cut time off from that time and walked around more to see displays and their importance.

I believe JFK made a lot of very good ideas that he wanted to succeed in. After he got assassinated, everyone believed that Kennedy would get all of his ideas accomplished, but he gets credit for things he didn't yet succeed in. I think if JFK survived, he would follow through and succeed in his plans, but no one knows if he would. JFK was a very intelligent man that already succeeded before his assassination, but Johnson ended up finishing his plans for him. If Kennedy survived, maybe his plans wouldn't have been pursued and discrimination would continue. I don't think he did enough to be considered one of the best presidents of all time, but if he survived I feel like he would be very successful.