Update: Fellow Christian conservative Andrew Jackson asks, “Is La Shawn accurate or just selective concerning the Democratic Party?”
Commenter RedBeard says, “This thread isn’t really about defending Republicans as much as it is about condemning the lies told about Republicans.”
I linked to “The Myth of the Racist Republicans” in a previous post but thought it best to move it front and center.
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It’s the nature of humans to downplay the unsavory parts of our past and overplay the good. We can’t help it. We want to look good. We don’t want to be embarrassed. We don’t want others to know how naive, clueless, dumb, shameful or *fill in the blank* we may have been back in the day.
The same applies to groups of humans. Less than stellar aspects of an organization’s past are downplayed or revised for the history books. For example, for much of the Democratic party’s history, it fought against civil rights for blacks, from slavery through the Civil Rights movement of the 1960s. It fought against the post-Civil War legislation, stalling various bills drafted to give blacks the precious freedom they sought and deserved. It turned hoses and dogs on black people protesting against second class citizenship.
Do you recall watching those grainy black and white films of cops beating down protestors? Chances are, they were Democrats. The man who came to symbolize the water hose tyranny was police chief Bull Connor, Public Safety Commissioner in Birmingham, Alabama, and a staunch Democrat.
The funny thing is you don’t often hear about the Dems’ segregationist past. Reading about this stuff in school, I’d assumed civil rights blockers were “racist Republicans” — you know, those “rich” white men who hate black people? Such assumptions are ingrained, which is why I advised Republicans not to hold their collective breath “courting the black vote.”
Indeed, Republicans have a long history of supporting civil rights, but that’s the part you don’t often hear about. You definitely will hear about President Richard M. Nixon’s “Southern strategy,” which many believe was a blatant attempt to exploit white southerners’ fear and resentment of racial integration. Sadly, this is what people remember about Nixon. Blacks who benefit from race preferences have no idea (unless they’re reading this) that the man behind the policy was a “racist Republican.”
So I wasn’t surprised when I read Larry Leonard’s latest in Oregon Magazine. While watching The History Channel’s “Ku Klux Klan: A Secret History,” he noticed the conspicuous absence of something:
During the first half listen for the political affiliations of Klan members in the North. In Indiana, as well as other locales, you will frequently hear the word “Republican.” Then during the second half of this two hour ‘documentary,’ which features Klan activity in the South during the civil rights days of the Fifties, see if you can tell by the narrative which political party these Klansmen serve. Not even when they are marching in the streets of Birmingham, Alabama (”the city’s law enforcement was known for its working relationship with the Klan”) carrying signs castigating “Martin Luther Coon,” bombing black homes and businesses – and even churches – not during all of these references did I hear the program mention the politics of the Klan members and public and private supporters in the region during those days.
Know from this essay that they were Democrats. The entire South was Democrat in those days. It had been solid Democrat since the Republican, Lincoln, and the Republicans in both houses of Congress had ended slavery and gone to war, literally, against the Secessionists – Democrats to a man.
This is but one reason conservatives are always harping on about “liberal bias.” A documentary about the South’s opposition to desegregation — a politically charged era — which fails to mention that Democrats were opposed to desegregation is hopelessly biased.
Liberals have argued that yesterday’s Dems were conservatives who joined the Republican party in waves during the ’60s. It’s true that some revolted and formed the segregationist Dixiecrat party. In the 1940s. Strom Thurmond, then a Democrat, left the party to join the segregationist Dixiecrat party in 1948. He joined the Republican party in 1964, a party “notorious” for supporting civil rights legislation. Some racist, eh? (Read the legislative history of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.)
Both major political parties have their faults, but too often Republicans are demonized as the racists and the Democrats’ sins are whitewashed. Even if we assume that southern Democrats became Republicans for “racist” reasons, the fact remains that Republicans as a group supported civil rights legislation, including the abolition of slavery, and continue to support civil rights for all to this day.
At this point I know better than to expect naysayers to follow links to articles and previous posts (and read them) before they comment on this thread. I can predict with 95 percent certainty what they’ll say before they say it. That’s one of the drawbacks of running a controversial public blog. It tends to attract contrarians who comment only for the sake of being contrary. 
It’s Monday. Surprise me.
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Thanks for the interest post, La Shawn! Looks like the basic instinct of the Democratic party has remained unaltered for some time.
I long ago stopped voting for any Democratic candidate at any level because of the party’s stance on race. “Demagogic” seems too mild a word for it. A racist, as one wit remarked, has come to mean a person who is winning an argument with a liberal Democrat.
My wife is black, I am white, and we have a son approaching his first birthday. We simply do not fit in the Democratic Party’s ideal of an America constantly at war with itself – and therefore in need of nanny government to make our decisions for us. I vote Republican (my wife is not a citizen yet) largely as a protest against the growing leftist extremism of the Democratic party on the war on terror, the environment, immigration, welfare, etc.
I have no great love for the Republican Party, which is not called the Stupid Party for nothing. When you sleep on the floor it is hard to fall out of bed, but the Republicans seem to make an effort every two years anyway.
Democrats talk diversity, but it’s just that. Their social circles are as white as typing paper.
Regards
Buck
La Shawn:
The Democratic party revealed it’s racism big time last Tuesday, when the “Candidate of Peace” defeated pro-war pro-liberation of Israel candidate Joe Lieberman.
Dems have supported outright racism against Jews by remaining silent when Dems attack Jews (Cynthia McKinney and her father; “Hymietown” by Jesse Jackson; “F—-n Jew B——s” by Hillary etc..).
And these Dems want to pull support for Israel when they are fighting OUR enemy Hezbollah.
The Civil Rights Act would not have passed if left to the Democrat party. The segregationist southern Dems threatened to filibuster the act to death. On the other hand, Republicans in Congress supported the bill in higher percentages than the Democrats. And if not for the tireless efforts of Senator Everett Dirksen, Republican from Illinois, the whole deal might have gone down in flames.
Here is Dirksen’s key quote from the Senate floor: “There are many reasons why cloture should be invoked and a good civil rights measure enacted. It is said that on the night he died, Victor Hugo wrote in his diary substantially this sentiment, ‘Stronger than all the armies is an idea whose time has come.’ The time has come for equality of opportunity in sharing of government, in education, and in employment. It must not be stayed or denied.”
Later, Dirksen was asked why he had worked so hard for passage, given the almost total lack of support from his own black constituents, to which he replied: “I am involved in mankind, and whatever the skin, we are all included in mankind.”
History is roundly ignored by those without understanding, or by those with hidden agendas.
But the media is controlled by the Republicans. That’s why they’re always villifying themselves and stuff. ‘Cuz you know, when you own something, you always want to make yourself look bad. ROFL. Leftist Logick(tm), twistier than a pretzel.
Congress made the KKK illegal in the 1800’s because they thought the KKK was formed to intimidate Black voters into voting for Democrats.
The Democrats today have not changed much. They may not be wearing white hoods but they do some heavy duty name calling, Oreo, Uncle Tom you have heard the names, it is all about intimidation.
OK, LaShawn, so you are shedding light on the Republicans, but would you want a loved one of yours to MARRY one?
You know what we Republicans do: we breed more Republicans. We raise kids to examine the meaning of words, to think about consequences, to take responsibility, to support their country, to hold people accountable, to know the clear difference between right and wrong and other judgmental stuff. How much fun is that? We make people earn self-esteem. Ye-Gads, what a bunch of crabby people we are.
Seems to me that both parties can claim Civil Rights victories (LBJ and Lincoln) and atrocities (LBJ and Bull Connor).
However the question of civil rights in the 21st century cannot be dealt with in the same way that it could in the 20th, nor should it be viewed through the same lens.
As a result, neither party gets any love from me for what they DID, rather I evaluate each candidate for what he offers.
I will say this — in the end, I no more forget nor forgive the Dixiecrats for their terrorism in the 1960’s than I do the Republicans for their betrayal tot he democrats in the 1880’s.
And all here would be wise to do the same. The parties are tools, NOT allies. Use them and discard them as their usefulness dictates. Just as my people have been used and disregarded as ours has dictated.
AMEN Sonny Redd!
This thread isn’t really about defending Republicans as much as it is about condemning the lies told about Republicans.
There were Dixiecrats in the 1960’s? I sure missed that. I was alive and extremely active in the deep south during the 1960’s and there were no Dixiecrats still around to my knowledge. George Wallace, Lester Maddox and Harry Byrd may have dragged along the remnants of the 1948 Dixiecrats, but if so, they were only an historian’s shorthand for a more plausible discussion.
I will pay handsomely for Dixiecrat campaign buttons or a copy of the party platform from the 1960’s.
Helio,
I appreciate your reminicence (though I have no real idea of your point) but, resisting my first impulse to pull a Stephen Colbert and create a definition myself, Wikipedia supports my useage of the term –
“The term has also been used to refer to conservative white Southerners who remain within the Democratic Party, and those who were formerly Democrats but now identify as Republicans.”
That statement should have continued, and explained that high profile segregationists like Mendell Rivers, Richard Russell, Robert “KKK” Byrd, Al Gore, Sr., Fritz Hollings, and Bill Clinton’s guru William Fulbright never left the Dem party.
#14 RedBeard: We went to different schools together. Did you ever read or hear about Dixiecrats in the 1960’s in the way this Wikipedia post implies?
#13 sonnyredd: “I appreciate your reminiscence (though I have no real idea of your point)”
Sorry about not making a point. I guess I was just droning on about the old days. That is what geezers do. I remember the Dixiecrats in 1948. I was everywhere in the deep south during the 1960’s as a researcher on the civil rights movement. I think Wikipedia is telescoping history and coining phraseology. I see a lot of that going on about the Viet Nam war and Watergate, too. Sometimes geezers can provide perspective, if any one is listening.
My offer still stands for 1960’s Dixiecrat stuff.
Helio-
Touche! I stand enlightened. I appreciate that.
Both Parties have a long history of racism… (Just one more than the other at different times)…
Earlier on…. during the Civil War and the reconstruction era…it was the Democrats… But over the last several decades, it has been the Republicans.
Remember that special band of Democrats from the Mid 20th Century called the Dixiecrats? Those Southern Democrats.
Even Dem. Senator Robert Byrd wore the hood.
The South (once dominated by Democrats…up until the 60’s) has since switched to the Republican Party… now a stronghold of Republicans. In Fact, I don’t think that a Democrat will win the South anytime during my lifetime.
Furthermore… race has very much been in the drivers seat of politics in this country.
For example, why did Whites (Southern Whites in particular) switch to the Republican Party? Because they felt that Johnson/Kennedy had given away too much and was becoming too cozy with the Civil Rights establishment. To distance themselves from this…or to punish Democrats…. whites switched to the Republican Party. The Civil Rights movement became toxic to the Democrats IMO. The same is true to this day.
And Republicans have dominated politics ever since.
Helio, I went to high school with Hillary Rodham. Beat that.
LOL
Angry Independent, please explain exactly what racist acts those evil Republicans have perpetrated over that period of decades you mentioned.
#18 Angry: You might have stopped at post #17.
I have been an active Republican since the Stevenson/Eisenhower match-up in 1952. I have also been a dedicated civil rights advocate since 1952. Now that you have my bias, I wish to assure you that the Republican Party was 1000 times more anti-union in the 1950’s and 1960’s than pro-white.
The Republicans and Southern Democrats were on the same page concerning unions. They were also thinking alike concerning “States’ Rights” in many cases. Slews of Southern Democrats felt they had lost their party and they became Republicans. But the hard-headed segregationists stayed with the Democrats. They showed their fannies big-time during the heat of the Civil Rights era. Try as you might, you will not find Republican KKK people or bombers or assassins during the 1960’s.
Richard Nixon had a “Southern Strategy.” You must look at 1968 to understand its meaning. He saw a way to get the “solid south” to cast its electoral votes to the Republicans. The country was in turmoil due to racial riots in LA, Detroit, Cleveland, Gary, Philadelphia and DC. The SDS tore up the Democrat convention in Chicago. Timothy O’Leary was extolling the virtues of LSD. Students on college campuses were occupying the offices of administrators. So Nixon campaigned on Law and Order. That may have been “code” for a lot of things to a lot of people. But it elected him in a landslide and it particularly appealed to the Southern states. That was his so-called “Southern Strategy.”
I would be interested to hear specifics of just where and when the Republican Party campaigned against the civil rights of blacks from 1950 on. Please keep in mind that Eisenhower signed the first Civil Rights act into law. He was somewhat reluctant to do so. Why? Because he felt that you can not change the way people think by law. However, when Arkansas (think Faubus and Fulbright) refused to integrate the Little Rock schools, Eisenhower sent in the National Guard, complete with tanks. Eisenhower knew General Patton up close and personal. Patton once bragged that if you grab the enemy by the (gonads) their hearts and minds will follow. Eisenhower signed the civil rights act, but he acted as Patton would have.
The Republican Presidents since 1952 have been Eisenhower, Nixon, Reagan, Ford, Bush I, and Bush II. The Republicans have held Congress since 1994. What have the Republicans done to set back civil rights for blacks. Three specific mentions will be sufficient.
OK, I’m going to mention Jack Kemp, Tony Snow, Mary Matalin, and a Black Republican named Shannon Reeves.
Jack Kemp — Jack Kemp has compaigned, internally, for the GOP to make real efforts to go after the Black vote. For his efforts, Jack Kemp publically stated because of his insistence on outreach, along with his view of immigration, caused Kemp to be, in his words, placed into exhile. This continued until Bob Dole chose Kemp for his running mate.
Tony Snow — When Snow used to substitute host for Rush Limbaugh, on more than one occassion, Snow said that he was, in his own words, essentially fired from the first Bush administration for stressing that the administration needed to campaign for the Black vote and to target Blacks.
Mary Matalin — on her radio program, she said, on more than one occassion, that she and others in the first Bush administration pushed for them to go for Black vote and to address Black groups. She said the higher ups always dismissed their comments on the matter.
Shannon Reeves — He wrote an open letter to the California GOP. It’s contained in full, here:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/820110/posts
Here is an excerpt:
I am sick and tired of being embarrassed by elected Republican officials who have no sensitivity for issues that alienate whole segments of our population. Republican leaders who consort with the Council of Conservative Citizens, highlight stump speeches at Bob Jones University, reminisce about segregationist campaigns, and sympathize with the bigoted views – and the very real possibility that others in our party affiliate with the Free Congress Foundation and groups with similar offensive ideology – perpetuate broad public opinion that Republicans harbor racist and bigoted ideals. Bill Back’s conduct is the most current embarrassment to our party. His decision to distribute bigoted information demonstrates a lack of judgment and political acumen that’s not appropriate for someone in a leadership position, especially as vice chairman of the California Republican Party.
This embarrassment is different for a black Republican. Not only do I have to sit in rooms and behave professionally towards Republicans who share this heinous ideology, I have to go home to a hostile environment where I’m called an ”Uncle Tom” and maligned as a sell-out to my community because I’m a member of the Republican Party. When I go to the barbershop on Friday or my church on Sunday–wherever I go in the black community–I have to explain that Trent Lott’s affiliation with the Council of Conservative Citizens doesn’t represent all Republicans, that it was just an isolated incident. When they then question me about the scores of Republicans who visit Bob Jones University, I tell them that Republicans visit black universities, too. When they ask how I can serve in a party where the second in command, the man seeking our top spot distributes bigoted literature, I tell them that Bill Back doesn’t represent the grassroots of this party–he’s just one man. Black Republicans are expected to provide window dressing and cover to prove that this is not a racist party, yet our own leadership continues to act otherwise. People judge people by their experience of them, and by their actions, and when those actions do not match their words, actions become the more honest means by which to measure a person.
I don’t talk about what it’s like for me to be a black Republican, and what I live through day to day because I’ve made a choice to be true to and fight for my beliefs. But I think the time has come for those of you in this party to understand what I encounter from other Republicans. Maybe it will help you understand how hard this fight really is–and how insurmountable the ill-conceived actions of Republican leaders like Bill Back make it.
When I travel to speak at Republican conferences and events around the country, wandering through hotels, convention centers and social clubs, as I approach the rooms where I’m scheduled to speak, I am often told by Republicans that I must be in the wrong place. While boarding a shuttle bus to a national convention a few years ago, an attendee who was already on the bus introduced himself to another white guest who was boarding, took one look at me and, in an attempt to be helpful, told me I was on the wrong bus. As a Bush delegate at the 2000 convention in Philadelphia, I proudly wore my delegate’s badge and RNC lapel pin as I worked the convention. Regardless of the fact that I was obviously a delegate prominently displaying my credentials, no less than six times did white delegates dismissively tell me to fetch them a taxi or carry their luggage.
Let’s talk about the Civil Rights bill. I looked at the numbers and when people say that it would not have passed without Republican support, it is an accurate comment. But by looking at the numbers, you will also see that it would not have passed without Democrat support.
Both parties were needed for it to pass.
Does anyone want to discuss Abe Lincoln’s views about freed slaves and how whites and Blacks should not interact and whites must be supreme to Blacks? Or about how the E.P. only freed slaves in the states in rebellion? Or how in a debate, he said if keeping slavery meant the preservation of the union, then that is what he would do?
Sonnyreed in #9 was on point.
OH, I am not a Democrat. I am listed as non-aligned. This means I am an independent.
#21 DarkStar: No cigar:-
Jack Kemp — Jack Kemp has campaigned, internally, for the GOP to make real efforts to go after the Black vote.
Snow said that he was, in his own words, essentially fired from the first Bush administration for stressing that the administration needed to campaign for the Black vote and to target Blacks.
Mary Matalin — on her radio program, she said, on more than one occasion, that she and others in the first Bush administration pushed for them to go for Black vote and to address Black groups.
Shannon Reeves — Regardless of the fact that I was obviously a delegate prominently displaying my credentials, no less than six times did white delegates dismissively tell me to fetch them a taxi or carry their luggage.
Kemp, Snow and Matalin urged a pimp move for “the black vote.” If the black vote has to be stroked, bribed and fed, what is it worth to America? The United States of America? Those blacks should stick to sucking the teat of the welfare, special interest state. Stick with the Democrats, they will promise anything and never deliver or respect blacks enough to occupy positions of importance.
Shannon Reeves I simply do not believe. The caricature of the aloof Republican seeing every black as a footman is beyond credulity. It just doesn’t wash. I would love to see a poll of how many blacks have been asked to “stepinfetchit” by a Republican or Democrat pol.
If these examples are supposed to raise issues of civil rights they are weaker than water. Rage should be made of sterner stuff.
Oh, my goodness! Now we are going to throw brick-bats at “Honest Abe.”
He tailored his speeches for the locale. That is old news. (There was no electronic journalism to catch him. He practiced the politics of the time: rough and tumble.) The Emancipation Proclamation freed slaves in secession states over which he did not have physical control. What Constitutional power would have given him the power to free slaves in states still in the Union? H-m-m-m-m-m?
So, all things being equal, the history of blacks in America would have been better without Lincoln and his political guts?
Even Don Quixote ran out of windmills to tilt.
Ok, everybody used to be racist, today, most people have the condition to some degree.
Are we gonna get hung up on the past or concern ourselves with forging the future?
“Oh no! Roosevelt…”
“Oh no! Lincoln…”
“Oh no! George Washington…”
“Oh no! George Bush…”
“Oh no! Jesse Jackson…”
“Oh no! Al Sharpton…”
Today we live in a largely gutless society where everything is somebody else’s fault and few solutions get past being written on a piece of paper or launched into cyber-space. If more people would take a lesson from Booker T. Washington I truly believe today’s American government would be much, much smaller because there would be so many fewer people waiting for help in some form or another.
If politics is so important then get involved! It’s fun to Monday morning quarterback every decision and action, but real QBs get out there and take hits in order to score.
Will we have this wasteful arguing about the founders and early leaders of the country until the end of time, or will people finally say “It doesn’t matter how they thought because I…”?
Heliotrope and RedBeard…
Do you really want to go down that road?
Because I could do this all day… The evidence is abundant. Darkstar offered evidence..but you sort of wrote him off.
As for the Republican Party… No, of course they don’t walk around Congress and Washington DC with white sheets over their heads anymore… Those things are simply symbols for what’s in the heart. The symbols have changed…. but what’s in their hearts hasn’t changed all that much.
They aren’t so obvious with their racism… they can’t afford to be because they would lose a lot of Moderate/Independent voters. They demonstrate their racism through legislation..the policies that they support, and through their political strategy….not by burning people out of their houses and lynching. They don’t have to lynch anymore… through the stroke of a pen they lynch us by impeding voting and lynch us through our wallets.
Instead, the Republican party has left the dirty work to a cadre of Right Wing (and mostly racist) Spokespeople…about 200-300 strong. Should also include commentators, writers, journalists, etc.
But especially the Radio and TV spokespeople… they handle the dirty work for the Republican Party…allowing the Republican Party to claim that they have nothing to do with the racist remarks that come from these people. One of the most powerful media machines in the history of the United States.
It’s actually a pretty brilliant strategy. This is a strategy that was born in the 80’s…and paid off with the Republicans Taking Over Congress with the Contract With America. This Cadre of people…led by the likes of Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, and Bill O’Reilly, control most of the airwaves, in terms of the political debate in this country.
Here are some examples of their bigotry.
Racist Republican Spokesman Neal Boortz
On Katrina Victims
http://mediamatters.org/items/200510240014
Comments about a U.S. Congresswoman (shouldn’t matter if you like her or not… I’m personally not crazy about her…but was still offended)
http://mediamatters.org/items/200603310005
About different Classes of people
http://mediamatters.org/items/200608030007
Racist Republican Spokesman Glenn Beck
On Katrina victims… talking from his nice Air Conditioned studio…then going to his nice home in the Suburbs after his comments…. Easy to make such statements from that perspective.
http://mediamatters.org/items/200509090003
Bill Bennett
http://mediamatters.org/items/200509280006
Racist Republican Spokesperson Michael Savage
Gay Caller to his Show
http://www.beastieboys.com/bbs/archive/index.php/t-27622.html
Con’t
http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2003-07-07-talk-host-fired_x.htm
Con’t
http://www.moderateindependent.com/v1i12rush.htm
On Coretta Scott King
http://mirroronamerica.blogspot.com/2006/02/michael-savage-bashes-coretta-scott.html
On Tsunami Victims…after the Dec. 2004 Calamity that killed nearly a quarter million people.
http://mediamatters.org/items/200501050006
On Gays, Hispanic, Jews
http://mediamatters.org/items/200605120017
Reportee in Duke Case
http://mediamatters.org/items/200604140011
How Black people can support the Republican Party is just beyond me….. whether you are a Black Republican, a Black Independent, Black Moderate, Black Libertarian, or Black Liberal…. It doesn’t matter… I can’t see how Blacks can give support to such an entity.
I remember when the KKK leader David Duke ran as a Republican… (the idea that Blacks support this stuff…it’s unreal)…
You just recently had a couple of openly racist politicians run in the South on the Republican Ticket…. (I can look it up….may have been more than two in the last few years).
Those blacks should stick to sucking the teat of the welfare, special interest state.
Nice, real nice.
Shannon Reeves I simply do not believe. The caricature of the aloof Republican seeing every black as a footman is beyond credulity.
You can do a search for yourself to come up with the complete story on it, if you want to do so.
The Emancipation Proclamation freed slaves in secession states over which he did not have physical control.
Yep. That was one of the points of what I wrote. The other point, though not stated, is the full history of Lincoln is not taught.
So, all things being equal, the history of blacks in America would have been better without Lincoln and his political guts?
That I never wrote, but hey, you are welcome to make assumptions, no matter how incorrect.
If politics is so important then get involved!
The hostess decided to post what comes off as a more complete picture of the GOP. But I provided information to make a more complete picture.
I then co-signed on comment #9 which essentially states both parties have warts.
Helio’s comments were quite… Interesting…
Maybe this is the answer for modern America’s obsession with partisan politics and race-baiting:
A. If one is Republican, then call the Democrats racists.
B. If one is a Democrat, then call the Republicans racists.
C. If one of your own political party makes racist comments, then immediately pronounce them to be an (ideological) member of The Other Party *OR*…
…deny the charge itself of the existence of such a thing as ‘racism’ in this day and age… *UNLESS*… it was The Other Party.
Solved! (Cracks open a beer, passes round)
Regards,
JohnD
It’s really disappointing to see radio talking heads considered as representatives of a political party, whether it’s Al Franken or Neal Boortz.
But the main thing I find objectionable, and quite disturbing, is that people can’t have a negative opinion of individuals without being labeled as racists or hatemongers by left-wing people like Media Matters. It’s a juvenile tactic at best. The cheapest of cheap shots.
Cynthia McKinney is an unpleasant and ignorant individual, but not because of her race. The actions of many in New Orleans after Katrina were despicable, but not because of their race. The 4 Bush-bashing 9/11 widows from New Jersey are disgusting, but not because they are widows.
This is something that JESSIE JACKASSON had beter pay attention to and yes ROBERT BYRD is a KKK memeber as well
RedBeard said: ‘It’s really disappointing to see radio talking heads considered as representatives of a political party, whether it’s Al Franken or Neal Boortz.’
RedBeard,
Come on now dude…I have been reading this board for a long time now and you know as well as I do that many a commenter here LOVES to make Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton the ’spokespersons’ for the ENTIRE black race. So explain to me how one is better than the other????
DarkStar quotes me: Those blacks should stick to sucking the teat of the welfare, special interest state.
Context, DarkStar, context. People on this blog are not dummies. You can not get away with cutting (the context) and running. Really, it makes you look weak.
Here is the whole quote: Kemp, Snow and Matalin urged a pimp move for “the black vote.†If the black vote has to be stroked, bribed and fed, what is it worth to America? The United States of America? Those blacks should stick to sucking the teat of the welfare, special interest state. Stick with the Democrats, they will promise anything and never deliver or respect blacks enough to occupy positions of importance.
What, besides shaking up permanent welfare and getting Affirmative Action in line with the 14th Amendment, have the Republicans done to negatively impact blacks? If more government cheese, public housing with carports and a guaranteed position at the head of the line are your goals, then the Democrats are your party. If you have the stuff to make it on your own, you don’t need a sugar-daddy party of poverty pimps.
The choice is yours, DarkStar. Not mine.
And just what Lincoln history is not taught? Something more than Richard Hofsteder wrote about in the 1950’s? His book on American politics is still a classic. Is there still more dirt on Lincoln? Do tell.
Tiffany, I think you might be mistaking what a lot of folks say about Jackson, Sharpton, etc. The real issue is the liberal media acceptance of Jackson, Sharpton and Company as spokesmen for all blacks. It’s quite ridiculous. There is no monolithic black “community” any more than there is a monolithic white “community,” despite the best efforts of the left to promote that silly idea.
Angry writes:
“As for the Republican Party… No, of course they don’t walk around Congress and Washington DC with white sheets over their heads anymore… Those things are simply symbols for what’s in the heart. The symbols have changed…. but what’s in their hearts hasn’t changed all that much.”
That pretty much sums it up. With that kind of belief system, it is difficult to understand what the “independent” in “angry independent” is all about.
As a collector of political stuff, I would like a photo or two of when the Republicans did “walk around Congress and Washington, DC with white sheets over their heads.” Of course, how will I know that they were Republicans? Maybe I could get a psychic heart reader to “read” the pictures.
I think that when you get into questioning folks beliefs and values, you walk a slippery slope into being insulting and condescending.
I think what it really boils down to is that for many blacks, including myself, that it boils down to a matter of perception. The Democratic party tends to be better received and better perceived because of attempts to make outreach and dialog with people of that respective community. Republicans dialog and outreach as well, but more with the Hispanic community than the black community. And I know that all of you fine conservatives feel like that the Repubs shouldn’t be pandering to the Blacks, but let’s face it, that’s exactly what happens; be it to the evangelicals, Hispanics or the little blue people. Pandering is what politicians do. They just have nicer words for it.
Maybe a little late in the discussion for this, but if anyone’s still following this topic, would someone define “racism” for me?
I come from a long line of Democrat party loyalists. I grew up in Texas and Tennessee. ALL of my extended family votes the Democrat party line.
And unfortunately racism is rampant within the older generations. My sibling, cousins and I have thrown off that curse.
We literally committed to each other that our generation would not repeat these sins.
However, some of my older relatives will tow the liberal line and HATE Bush and me for supporting him … and they are still very racist. One of whom was absolutely hateful to my brother when he married a beautiful Mexican lady.
So, I agree with you La Shawn but I also see that racism is very much still a part of the democratic base.
#39 Tiffany: The one “group” I can think of that Republicans have pandered to for a long, long time is the farmers. They have gotten subsidies and government support programs beyond counting.
The Republicans have been trying to get the Hispanic vote, because Hispanics are the largest minority. I am not aware of direct government programs aimed at the Hispanics. My Republican friends are furious that Bush and the Republican Congress have been pandering to the Hispanics through lax immigration enforcement.
What good did it do the Republicans to have an initiative to involve government funded faith-based help with inner-city problems? The ACLU and the Democrats went on the First Amendment warpath.
Republicans have long wished for vouchers so that parents can get their kids out of the trap of union dominated inner city schools that are little more than lousy baby sitting centers. The Democrats, always pandering to their union base, will not consider the voucher option.
There is a widespread belief that Republicans have evil in their hearts where black Americans are concerned. Republicans have generally refused to buy their way into a bidding war with the Democrats for black votes. When someone is sure you are the “boogie man” what are you supposed to do to dispel it?
You are right about the propensity of politicians of all stripes to try to buy favor and votes. But the propaganda machine that has taught so many blacks to say and believe the most outlandish things about Republicans has been very successful.
Bush went back to the NAACP Convention for the first time this year and stood there as they mocked and jeered him. Did his appearance do any good?
What suggestions would give the Republican Party?
To follow up on Randy’s point – I have several Northeastern uber-left Democratic relatives who think the sun rises and sets on Ted Kennedy. They also use more anti-black racist language than I ever heard while living in the South most of my life. They have never met my wife, and I am not sure how they would react if they ever did.
May I conclude from the behavior of my Democratic relatives – and the recent “blackface” incident from a Lamont campaign worker – that rank and file Democrats are anti-black racists? Or is “guilt by association” a concept that applies only to Republicans?
#40 Suek, I presume you’re question wasn’t sarcasm, so I’ll answer in good faith. Others may disagree, but I think ‘racism’ is generally understood to be the dictionary definition:
1. The belief that race accounts for differences in human character or ability and that a particular race is superior to others.
2. Discrimination or prejudice based on race.
Of course people will redefine it to fit in with their personal world-view.
Regards,
John
O.K. Heliotrope…since you asked.
Some info about the biggest Terrorist Organization in American History.
You asked where were these Republicans who were walking around in Washington DC WHEN THEY DID have hoods on. For your viewing pleasure sir. Obviously you missed this in your American history lessons. I cant make this stuff up.
See the Capital Building in the background. These KKK events used to be part of regular festivities in Washington DC. Go back and read the history.
This occurred openly until the 1950’s…
http://americanhistory.si.edu/brown/history/1-segregated/images/kkk-parade.jpg
http://rationalrevolution.net/images/kkkdc6.jpg
http://www.rationalrevolution.net/images/kkkdc2.jpg
http://www.rationalrevolution.net/images/kkkdc1.jpg
http://www.the7thfire.com/new_world_order/Freemasonry/kkk-parade.jpg
http://ns.headroyce.org/~us_history/2004/b_gs/images/pages/t_parade_gif.htm
http://home.intekom.com/southafricanhistoryonline/pages/classroom/pages/projects/grade12/lesson7/images/kkk-march.jpg
http://www.pointsouth.com/csanet/graphics/klan/kkk-1920s.jpg
http://interwaryears.8m.net/KKK%20in%20Washington%20in%201925.jpg
http://www.pointsouth.com/graphics/people/kkk-capitol2.jpg
Here are some Famous Klansmen including U.S. Presidents. (Most of which were Republicans).
This is just a partial list Many more U.S. Presidents, Senators, Representatives, Governors, Judges (all levels), Mayors and major Law Enforcement officials were members of, or were strongly affiliated with, this Terrorist organization. (And a few are still out there).
(at bottom)
http://www.kkklan.com/wall.htm
From the above website:
Other notable men were: President Warren G. Harding (R). He was sworn into the Ku Klux Klan in the White House by Imperial Wizard Simmons.
President Calvin Coolidge (R)- He allowed cross lightings on the Capitol steps and reviewed the giant Klan parades of 1925 & 26.
President Harry S. Truman (D) was a minor ordinary Klansman from 1920-22. His membership was not notable. He later had a major falling out with the KKK over his desire to appoint Catholics to key political positions; something the KKK opposed at the time. He severed all ties with the KKK and openly repudiated them. They didn’t call him, “give them Hell Harry”, for nothing. His family has tired to deny his KKK membership ever since.
Supreme Court Justice, Hugo Black, his robes (with his name in them) were found in an old Klan Hall in the 1960’s. Under political pressure, he superficially repudiated the Klan during its period of scandals.
I don’t care what anyone says, Dems and Republicans alike are evil and not to be trusted. Both seem to run on the assumption that the other is evil and racist, when in fact they are mirror images of each other.
I agree Shavonne!
#45 You link to a bunch of pictures from the came parade in 1925 and then to a page of unsourced information about the KKK that includes the admission: “I have one book that only mentions they were members, but that’s all.”
None of this supports your claim that “…Republicans…were walking around in Washington DC WHEN THEY DID have hoods on.”
I can do that too:
RACIST!
The Angry Independent, in the interest of accuracy, should drop the words “The” and “Independent” and just stick with the “Angry” bit.
LOL…
You all just don’t quit.
#45 Angry: Your pictures of the KKK in DC in the 1920’s is just a piece of the passing parade of American politics. Did you notice that their faces were all hanging out in the wide open?
I carry no brief for the KKK, but let’s at least try to be accurate. Your pictures are of the “Second Klan” which was reborn after Griffith’s Birth of a Nation in 1915. It was fueled by WWI and the belief that many German immigrant farmers were supporting the Kaiser and Germany. Many of those Germans were Catholics. All across the mid-west, “night-riders” appeared on German immigrant farms to deliver the message that they were under deep community suspicion.
The Second Klan was centered in Indiana and is estimated to have had a nationwide following of up to 3 million. Maine, New York and Illinois also had large chapters. Election to Klan leadership was openly recorded in local newspapers as another social event. The Second Klan was anti-Catholic, anti-Semitic, fundamentalist Christian and dedicated to white racial purity. It was not focused on blacks, as the First Clan was, but it was firmly committed to the racism of white supremacy.
The lynchings in the South are fairly well documented. Often, the mob stood around the hanging body and posed for pictures. When you carefully study the lynchings, you will quickly realize that they were not dependent on the KKK or that the KKK was even much of a catalyst. (This is not to deny the impact of the KKK, but to point out that the society at large was guilty.)
Your word picture of Republican Presidents, Governors, Senators, etc. as proud KKK members is biased. The very first thing you will learn when you honestly look into the Second Klan is that it was not politically aligned.
There were largely Republican areas where it had active membership and largely Democrat areas where it had active membership. Your effort to saddle Republicans with the poisoned hearts of the KKK is wishful, biased, political thinking. That dog won’t hunt.
However, the First Klan of black lynchers was decidedly anti Republican and rode against carpetbaggers and scalawags as readily as they the blacks they fingered for a visit or a lynching. That KKK was indeed politically aligned. They were Democrats.
Please do not take short cuts with the historical evidence; revisionism is so fruitless, unless you have a treasure trove of heretofore unknown data.
La Shawn, Southerns did not suddenly turn Republican in the ’60s like the liberals tell it. It was a very gradual change all the way through the ’90s with the younger generations voting Republican and the racist Democrats dying away. I think a few years ago, Alabama elected its first Republican to the Senate. Also, w/the redistricting in Texas, for the first time ever, Texas has a majority of Republicans in the House of Representatives. Can you believe that a state which voted over 70% for Bush had a majority of Democrats in the House?
And you are absolutely correct. The south was predominantly Democratic during the racist years, and in my experience, the racists are still Democrats. “Yellow Dog Democrats”. They are some of the most hateful people you will ever meet.
I am a black libertarian and member of the Republican party.
All the black people here who so gleefully lionize/defend the Democrats and criticize the Republicans should find it easy to condemn the effect that welfare and government dependency has had on the black community.
Admit it. The only reason why the Democrats are so popular in poor black neighborhoods is because there are no men there – only shiftless single mothers – who put all their eggs in the governments basket.
If black males where ever allowed to be heads of their households again, you had better believe that the stranglehold that the Democrats have on the black vote would be immediately relieved.
Some of you so effortlessly criticize the Republican party, but you are completely silent on the devastating effect that liberal politics and values in general and the Democrat party in particular has had on black communities in the this country. Politics should come second to “what actually works in real life.”
#55 Jon Swift points out the irony of Strom Thurmond, Trent Lott and Jessie Helms switching to the Republicans rather than staying at home in the Democrat Party.
It really is strange that they would leave the companionship of George Wallace, Lester Maddox, William J. Fulbright, Orville Faubus, Al Gore,Sr., Fritz Hollings, Mendell Rivers, Richard Russell and plenty of others who remained staunch Democrats and fought civil rights legislation.
Irony is not supposed to be a boomerang that comes back and smacks you in the nose. It is a tough art and not many have succeeded at it.
Oh, for clarification, check out Hollings and the stars and bars in South Carolina flag. Isn’t it interesting that the civil rights Democrats named the new Senate office building after Russell? Now there is a party that does not forget its roots.
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