I’ve thought about writing articles (and maybe a book) in defense of the Southern Strategy, and I’m similarly inclined to write an op-ed opposing the idea of pardoning people who violated segregation laws (also see this story) back in the day.
Maybe this is why I get hate mail. After all, such ideas are “dangerous.” Whites with sinister motives may use such op-eds and blog posts as material to support their “racist” positions, so I’m told.
Back in the day, whites were afraid that slaves would be exposed to “dangerous” ideas, too, like dignity, humanity, the pursuit of knowledge, and…freedom. Radical. The freedom to think critically and for oneself can be as radical. It may result in an epidemic of knowledge and reasoned debate, and we all know how dangerous that would be. 
Speaking of critical thinking, I don’t do it often enough myself (news flash!). Sometimes I rant, allowing emotions to take over. I try not to make a habit it, though. Then again, I certainly don’t want to take a Spock-like approach to life. As with everything else, there is a balance. But I digress.
Government-mandated, race-based discrimination may have been hideous, but it was the law of the land, just as child killing is today. (Supreme Court strikes again!) Of course, there’s the issue of man’s law v. the moral law, but why quibble?
For you youngsters in the audience, killing babies was once against the law. (It still is only if the mother wants the fetus.) Those days were known as the “Dark Ages.” Today, enlightened Americans on the Supreme Court decided that women ought to have a right to kill their unborn. Times sure a-change, alright. Yes, indeedy! Next thing you know, government-mandated, race-based discrimination in reverse will be the law of the land.
Come to think of it, it already is. Times sure a-change, alright.
I’ll get back to you on the pardon topic…
