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Kennedys' greatest accomplishments were inspiration
The Advocate
With the exception of Ted Kennedy, the Kennedy brothers did not accomplish much through their careers, according to MHCC history instructors Pat Casey and Elizabeth Milliken.
Casey and Milliken met with students Wednesday in another edition of the Historians Roundtable to ponder the question: “How will history remember the Kennedys?”
The instructors summarized the political history of each of the Kennedy brothers, then presented portions of a few speeches by each — John F. Kennedy (JFK), Robert F. Kennedy (RFK), and Ted Kennedy — and discussed the significance of their contributions to society.
Casey made the argument that the largest part of JFK’s and RFK’s legacy is based on potential and image. After the assassinations of JFK in 1963 and RFK in 1968, history based its view primarily on how they inspired others and what they stood for, but less on their actual accomplishments.
“What JFK managed to do early on was capture the attention of younger folks,” said Casey. “When you’re talking about the Kennedys, you are often times looking at the impact they’ve had on younger folks — because the younger folks of 1960 and 1968 are the people running the country today.
So that amplifies, in my opinion, the Kennedy impact.
“What were John Kennedy’s real solid accomplishments? The Peace Corps, that was really it,” said Casey.
Casey and Milliken went on to point out that although JFK and RFK had little in the way of actual accomplishments, Ted Kennedy did accomplish a lot throughout his tenure as a U.S. senator.
Milliken pointed out that Ted Kennedy (D-Mass.) authored or sponsored more than 300 laws, was the third longest-serving senator in the history of the senate and championed universal healthcare and education initiatives.
“He played a major role passing laws that addressed issues like immigration, cancer research, health insurance and healthcare,” said Milliken.
Though the Kennedys, with the exception of Ted, may not have accomplished much, their ability to inspire is what gives their current history a favorable light, according to Casey.
“The Kennedy ability to inspire was massive,” said Casey.
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