President Kennedy was heavily influenced by the events in Birmingham to enact civil rights legislation. However, initially, JFK moved slowly in the area of racial justice because he: a Believed that initiatives in this area should come from the Supreme Court and Congress b Had not pledged any action regarding civil rights during his campaign c Believed he needed the support of Southern Democrats to pass his economic and social legislation d Was not supportive of civil rights legislation

According to the historical records, President John F. Kennedy moved slowly in the area of racial justice because he "believed he needed the support of Southern Democrats to pass his economic and social legislation"

During the administration of John F. Kennedy, before his assassination in 1963, he wanted to effect so many changes in both domestic and foreign policies.

However, knowing that the Southern states most often do not support the elevation of people of color, and the fact that he needed the support of Southern Democrats to pass his economic and social legislation to make those policies a reality, he was slow in enacting Civil Right legislation so as not to anger the Southern states.