50 years ago today, President John Fitzgerald Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, Texas. It was a turning point in U.S. and world history. JFK represented many things to many people. He was seen by many as the hope of a “new Generation.“ Few American cities took to Kennedy quite like Chicago. Aside from business interests in the city and close ties between the Kennedy and Daley families, Chicago’s Catholic community, especially Irish Catholics, saw the Kennedy’s years similar to how many African-Americans and other minorities view President Obama’s election. These ties were probably a major factor in Senator Ted Kennedy’s and Caroline Kennedy’s support for Obama’s candidacy. But the Kennedy years were a mixed bag for African-Americans. A good portion of African Americans were still Lincoln Republicans and even black supporters looked at Kennedy with skepticism. WBEZ producer/host Richard Steele, African-American media analyst Brenda Verner, and associate professor of Educational Leadership and Development at Northeastern Illinois University Robert Starks all lend their perspectives on this issue. We’ll also hear from Chicagoans who today are remembering the Kennedy assassination, president of the Irish American Heritage Center John “Crowley” Gorski, and director of the Museum and Archives at the Irish American Heritage Center Tom Boyle. (Photo: Flickr/Robert Hensley)