With the “race card” being played all over the political scene these days, those of us in northern Idaho often get caught up in the controversy, whether we want to or not. I thought a history lesson might be good for us all. An alert reader gave me this information:
1. Which political party was founded as the anti-slavery party?
2. What party passed the 13th, 14th and 15th Amendments to the Constitution granting black people freedom, citizenship and the right to vote?
3. What party passed the Civil Rights Acts of 1866 and 1875, prohibiting racial discrimination in public accomodations?
4. What was the party of Frederick Douglass, Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth, Booker T. Washington and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.?
This is the first section of the “quiz”.
Could they all be Republican?
Comment by citizen — September 19, 2009 @ 9:12 pm
Clearly it is not fair to draw parallels between 19th and 21st century political parties. A lot of time has passed and both parties now represent different ideals. There are plenty of recent and factual rationale to debunk the rampant charges of racism so causally tossed about these days. For a President who so vocally prided himself on closing the racial divide he is allowing it to widen to new and dangerous depths. We can all look back to our families personal history and see where our lineage has stood on slavery and racism. My family shed lives and blood to end slavery. We never owned slaves and are not racists. Yet, I have been called a racist and a bigot many times recently. Supposedly I am also now a radical, a domestic terrorist and a neo-facist. Yet, if you cut me I bleed red, white and blue and that should happen with all Americans regardless of the color of their skin. These are some sad days for our country.
Comment by Wallypog — September 20, 2009 @ 6:54 am
What I find interesting among some of my liberal friends is a “hatred of racism”, but they have no problem making offensive remarks about Christians, Jews and Mormons. Throw in distain for the minimum wage earners, working with their hands or serving the public, and you have a limousine liberal.
Comment by citizen — September 20, 2009 @ 8:47 am
If you Conservatives see yourself as an offending party in the above post…CUT IT OUT!
Comment by citizen — September 20, 2009 @ 8:51 am
Yes, Citizen, the answer to all of the questions is Republican. And I agree, Wallypog, that things can change through the decades and no political party can simply rest on the actions of its founders. It is, however, shocking to me that the media portrays history with an incredibly unfair and untrue twist. Check out my next set of questions in today’s post.
Comment by mary — September 20, 2009 @ 9:10 am