Will JFK & Jackie always be icons?
The release of what Jackie Kennedy recorded on tape 47 years ago became headline news all over the world . Seems that people are always going to be fascinated about the Kennedys and the mystery surrounding the time in politics called Camelot and maybe above all the mystique surrounding the assassination of the young handsome president 48 years ago in Dallas.
Their daughter Caroline decided to release Jackie’s thoughts and memories earlier than her mother had wished to coincide with the 50 year anniversary of her father’s inauguration as president. An interesting thing is that it’s not just America that’s still captivated by JFK and Jackie but also the rest of the world. So devote two minutes to watching how AlJazeera in Qatar broadcast it to their audience, mainly in the Middle East.
Friends of mine who knew JFK always say that he was so charming women fell in love with him and men went out of their way to please him. The fascination with him as a person actually started long before he became president. He simply had what it takes to captivate people he came across which may account for some of the glamour attached to him and his family. And it didn’t hurt that he married a woman who knew how to keep the legend of Camelot , and her own mystique, alive and create headlines long after they were both gone.
Jackie expert on branding
It’s probably no coincidence that Jackie was a photo journalist before she got married. She really knew what to do in order to create a high value brand. By not giving interviews when she was alive she kept the mystique about herself and consequently JFK alive. And by behaving that way she contributed to turning herself and her late husband into icons. She actually did such a good job the American people forgave her for marrying Onassis. How can you not forgive an icon?
Can’t help wondering what kind of president John F. Kennedy would have been remembered as if he hadn’t been assassinated? Seems for instance he was going to pull out of Vietnam. What would have been his legacy? Would he and Jackie still be icons today if the shooting in Dallas hadn’t taken place?
Does,not only America, but the world need icons to look up to that they believe embody success, beauty, fame and wealth? People who represent what they dream of? Young, healthy, happy – maybe personifying “the American dream”? Or is it just like tabloid news, the fact that rich and famous people have worse problems than they have make ordinary people happy? To think that at least their husband wasn’t assassinated can be a comfort to some. Would JFK have been the icon he is today if he hadn’t been assassinated? What’s your opinion? Will the Kennedys always fascinate people or will future generations forget and find new icons to fill their place?
(Video: AlJazeeraEnglish/You Tube)
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Tags: AlJazeera, brand, Caroline Kennedy, Dallas assassination, Jackie Kennedy Onassis, Jackie O., JFK, John F. Kennedy, Kennedy inauguration 50 year anniversary, legacy
September 25th, 2011 at 11:36
People do see to need icons: people to look up to (and, if/when they fall, to view with a good dose of schadenfreude). Many icons are so because of their untimely death: look at James Dean – would he have been as famous without his untimely death? Probably not.
Of course, in the case of the Kennedys, the Americans – while being staunchly republican (not the political party!) – still love royalty and the Kennedys seem to have been elevated to that stature. Had JFK lived today, it's entirely likely that he would have not made it to the presidency given his well-documented love of the ladies – but the press in the 50s and 60s was far less intrusive than today.
Over time, each generation's icons fade and are replaced by new ones…
September 25th, 2011 at 13:28
Seems we agree Guy. But the JFK & Jackie brand has been developed in ways that many companies should envy. Honestly wouldn't be surprised if he will be one of US presidents always mentioned aside Washington, Lincoln, FDR and Co. If he deserves it or not is a questionmark.
September 26th, 2011 at 06:41
Catarina,
I personally think that JFK will fade into history as the older people die and the younger people idolize people of different character these days. I grew up fascinated with the Kennedy’s as did most of America and I have to say, I am finally tired of hearing about the Kennedy’s I was just telling my neighbor the other day when Tony Bennett was on that I am glad that they have finally let JKF, Robert, Marilyn, Frank, Al Capone, Elvis and Martin die. I was really tired of hearing about them.
I do not dislike them in no way, just tired of hearing about them. But when I see what young people are listening to and looking at, I think I would rather stick with the dead people. The lack of morality these days amazes me, it really is a shame. It is very hard to raise your kid when fighting against media impressions. I work hard to limit my childrens exposure, yet them seem to be exposed anyway and influenced. I can only pray that what I tell them they will remember when they are grown and not what they hear on the radio or see on tv.
To be honest as much as I am tired of hearing about the Kennedy’s if a movie about them came on tv tonight, I would probably watch it. But since I only watch about 2 hours of tv a week, I probably wouldn’t know it was on, and that’s ok too.
Jenn
September 26th, 2011 at 07:05
Cool! I never knew that Jackie had an actual job prior to meeting JFK since her family was so wealthy. And it's really cool how they met!
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September 26th, 2011 at 09:56
Glad you liked it. Rahul.
September 26th, 2011 at 09:58
Great comment Jennifer that I agree with. Just not sure JFK will fade into history. He was after all assassinated and that goes a long way when it comes to being remembered.
September 26th, 2011 at 15:19
To add to the point that JFK and Jackie can still make headlines so long after their deaths; there is an official account of the assassination that the Kennedy family is keeping buried until Jackie and JFK's children pass (this was setup by Rose, JFK's mother and she mentions it in numerous interviews). Thus after Caroline passes the truth about JFK's death will be released to the public. This will keep their legacies in the public mind and cement their place in U.S. history books Thus I believe they will always be icons and we will have mixed emotions about their legacy.
The assassinations of MLK, JFK and Bobby Kennedy are and always will be the image of the turbulent 1960's in the U.S, just like the photo of the couple kissing in Times Square signifies the 1940's/WWII and Elvis evokes the 1950's, the JFK assignation evokes the memories of the 1960's and thus he will never be forgotten by younger generations. His legacy as a great President will be debated ( his re-election was in jeopardy in Nov.1962) and his actions in the Cuban Missile Crisis will always be a case study in crisis management. However, it is Jackie's actions that have made JFK an icon, she coined the phrase 'Camelot" shortly after his death and that phrase is how most Americans still remember him. She was his PR person the rest of her life and even long after her death.
September 26th, 2011 at 17:20
Good points Richard. Glad you agree with me that Jackie was an expert in branding.
September 26th, 2011 at 17:51
Catarina — The Kennedy family is iconic in American politics. Presidential candidates will always be compared to him. They were a very handsome couple. What made his death so sad as well as tragic is how young he was when he died – only 46. Jack and Jackie added glamor to the White House and his inaugural speech, "Not ask what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country," will live on in history. It's still quoted often in stories, especially now when there is such cynicism about our political culture. The new Jackie tapes were a headline for a day or two and quickly faded in U.S. news. Unfortunately, she tarnished her image in the view of many people when she married Aristotle Onassis — some felt for his money. She later proved she was more than a fashion icon when she became a respected book editor. The Kennedy's, in my view, will always retain a memorable place in American history.
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September 26th, 2011 at 18:39
Hi Catarina,
The Kennedys fooled a lot of us when we were kids (I was about thirteen when John was killed) and a lot of people who weren't kids. We mourned an wept about the events, but knew nothing about the sordid "private" lives they led. Years later, when these unsavory details were revealed, we had to rethink our attitudes towards these people who had indeed been icons. So, to answer whether they would have been icons if they weren't killed, I would conjecture that they would NOT have made that status. I might add that we have watched a lot of icons bite the dust recently.
Lou
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September 26th, 2011 at 21:22
Very Interesting post Catarina. I think I would use the word "charismatic" to describe JFK – and I know I am not the first to use that description. Jackie certainly was an expert at personal branding and how to personify class. Will the Kennedy legacy live on in future generations? I don't know – I think it depends upon what direction the future holds – which of course – none of us know. Wonder how long the "Beatles" will be known by the younger generations. I wonder if there are some who have no idea who they are today
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September 26th, 2011 at 22:17
Hi Catarina,
I think they will be remembered as they were so different to others when he became President. It is also not just the assassination, but also the theories about his death, his life and the lives of the whole family as well as what was happening in the world at the time. This latest information just adds to the story. I wonder if the same fascination with Princess Diana which is along the same lines continues as well.
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September 26th, 2011 at 23:05
Interesting questions… I often wonder whether the untimely deaths of celebrities serve to enhance their intrigue and overall persona in the eyes the general public. If they remained alive and began to age (like the rest of us!) would we still find them so dreamy? If they changed their views or any key factor that has made the public fall in love with them, would we continue to follow? Part of why we are so intrigued by them (in addition to whatever they did to earn their celebrity status) is the fact that they died young or in a tragic way. It's interesting and hard to answer because we may not ever know. We do know that some celebs fall from stardom and as fans we are fickle and lose interest. But with some of the icons it's hard to say.
Angela
http://www.habitformingsuccess.com
September 27th, 2011 at 00:14
Hi Catarina,
People usually feel badly when someone is unjustly killed before their time and that usually leads to a natural curiosity about their life after they are gone. Even when people die unsurprising deaths people still become more interested in their lives because they are gone. When the death seems unfair the curiosity goes deeper and people want to find the answers to their questions.
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September 27th, 2011 at 09:14
Yes Stacy the fact that JFK was assassinated makes a huge difference to his legacy.
September 27th, 2011 at 09:15
Good points Angela.
September 27th, 2011 at 09:17
True Susan, Diana is another celebrity who will be remembered because of her early death.
September 27th, 2011 at 09:18
Yes Julie how long the Kennedys, Beatles and others will be known is a questionmark. However, I somehow believe that JFK will be remembered much longer than The Beatles.
September 27th, 2011 at 09:21
Lou isn't the important aspect of a president if he was a good president and not if he was a ladiesman.
September 27th, 2011 at 09:22
Good comment Jeannette that I agree with.
September 27th, 2011 at 20:13
Hey Catarina,
Very interesting post. You always come up with great discussion topics.
Well, coincidence or not I just read a book called " Secret Lives of the U.S. Presidents" by Cormac O'Brien. There, the life of every presidents with good sides and bad sides is revealed. JFK had way too many dirty little secrets behind the great image he wanted to display. You might want to read to book for more details. However, I cannot judge but see his qualities: charisma , the courage he had in the "missile conflict" with URSS and others.
Yes, people do want positive models in life.. great achievers able to inspire them.. But some of them want "perfect" individuals with no mistakes at all rather than positive and inspiring. We are perfect but from another perspective: with strengths and weaknesses, with the potential to create but also to destroy-creatures of contrast.
Of course, there a lot of rich people with more problems than a poor one but vice versa is available too. It's a matter of personal choice-how to live, values or how to deal with problems.
Regarding the last question, is hard to say…only to guess and express an opinion. Even if he would live a few years more he still would have a certain influence (at least for his admirers) .
Thanks for sharing your insights Catarina
All the best,
Radu
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September 27th, 2011 at 22:55
Hi Catarina, it's difficult to say really isn't it. Could it be the fact of the way JFK died that added to the mystique and icon factor? I guess we will never know.
Perhaps the people may have seen other sides and lost their love and infatuation.
I feel the assassination added the intrigue for the most part. I don't really think they would have been as iconic had he lived.
Jayne
September 27th, 2011 at 23:58
In those days, Catarina, we expected a lot more out of presidents than many people aooarently do at present. We expected them to be role models, and for someone that famous, I don't see anything wrong with that expectation. Fortunately, I was a LOT older before I found out what the Kennedys were really like.
Lou
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September 28th, 2011 at 09:48
My pleasure Radu.
September 28th, 2011 at 09:48
Glad we agree Jayne.
September 28th, 2011 at 09:51
Interesting Lou. Don't you think it was much easier in those days to be a president because he didn't have to cope with news being broadcast 24/7. If media had been like today JFK would not have been able to do what he did. Not even sure he would have been elected.
September 30th, 2011 at 16:59
Very Interesting post, Catarina and it is nice to know that Jackie had an actual job prior to meeting JFK.
September 30th, 2011 at 17:07
Glad you like it Deck. She was actually a hightly intelligent woman, as the tapes show.
October 1st, 2011 at 18:36
Catarina,
I enjoyed the video clip… Jackie and JFK were undoubtedly fascinating people. However, I think people need mentors more than icons. People are fallible, and when we hold them up high, they are bound to fall hard. The 'icon' status puts so much pressure on a human being to be extraordinary, they are bound to disappoint eventually.
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October 2nd, 2011 at 10:33
Intelligent way of looking at it Natalie.
October 6th, 2011 at 15:43
Hi Catarina,
I believe that JFK and Jackie will always be icons, due to the assassination of JFK and Jackie's personality, both of them being good looking doesn't hurt either.
I don't know if they would be so iconic, if he had not been shot. We will never know since we don't know what he would've done after being president. He could've hurt his legacy or helped it.
I do think that Jackie staying in the spotlight, so to speak, has really turned them both into bigger icons then they would've been, had she not. Her case, really shows you what marketing can do.
Very interesting topic Catarina, thanks for sharing it.
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October 6th, 2011 at 17:18
Glad you agree Ian. Just remember that Jackie's main strategy for building up their brand was to refuse to talk to any journalists i.e. building up herself and hence Camelto as a mystery.