JFK And Santa Claus – A Lesson In Emotional Intelligence

In 1961, children across the United States were terrified of the prospect of nuclear war with the Russians. They were the generation taught to “duck and cover” under their classroom desks to protect themselves from nuclear fallout. Many schools have fallout shelters with food provisions in their basements. News reports indicated the Russians might test atomic weapons at the North Pole.

When eight-year-old Miss Michelle Rochon heard the news, she was scared that the Soviets would kill Santa! She wrote a letter to President Kennedy, expressing her concern about Santa Claus being annihilated by nuclear weapons; JFK provided a fantastic lesson in emotional intelligence as he reassured Michelle and the nation.

The Letter To JFK

Dear Mr. Kennedy, 

Please stop the Russians from bombing the North Pole because they will kill Santa Claus. I am 8 years old. I am in the third grade at Holy Cross School. 

Yours truly, Michelle Rochon

JFK’s Response

Dear Michelle,

I was glad to get your letter about trying to stop the Russians from bombing the North Pole and risking the life of Santa Claus.

I share your concern about the atmospheric testing of the Soviet Union, not only for the North Pole but for countries throughout the world, not only for Santa Claus but for people throughout the world.

However, you must not worry about Santa Claus. I talked with him yesterday, and he is fine. He will be making his rounds again this Christmas.

Sincerely,

John Kennedy

 

Americans Were Reassured

President Kennedy had been elected in a very close election. Yet, almost all his opponents recognized his love of children and deep compassion. The letter was reprinted all over the country. Parents found it charming and appropriate; children were reassured. The letter is often cited today as an example of John Kennedy’s emotional intelligence. He both reassured a young girl and an entire nation with his thoughtful response.

Michelle Rochon became the target of many interviews. “All I  understood was that he talked to Santa Claus, and he was fine, and he’d be coming around this Christmas. President Kennedy said so. So everything was good.” No doubt, many parents and children were relieved to see the letter. The world seemed just a bit safer, knowing Santa Claus was in no danger.

An Unexpected Outcome

Two days after JFK wrote the lovely letter, the Soviets went ahead and exploded the “King of Bombs” over a group of arctic islands.

It weighed 59,525 pounds and was 1,570 times more powerful than the nuclear weapons dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki combined,  Santa Claus was unharmed, but the world was well aware that the danger had not passed.

The Value Of Emotional Intelligence

According to Harvard University, emotional intelligence is a crucial trait for leadership. “People differ in how adept they are at recognizing emotions, both in themselves and others, and how well they can use that understanding constructively. This capacity, known as emotional intelligence, can have a surprisingly powerful effect on our lives,”

You may recall that President Trump made an embarrassing faux pas when speaking to a child about Santa. By contrast, President Kennedy accepted Michelle’s belief in Santa and used it to be a reassuring presence in her life and the lives of people across the USA.