A May 25 letter to the editor, “Democrats have long history of racism,” features some carefully selected information. For example, Doug Roulstone, chairman of the county Republican Party, talks correctly about Southern Democrats filibustering the 1964 Civil Rights act.
What he doesn’t talk about is the fact that the 1964 Civil Rights Act was proposed by JFK, a Democrat. When he was assassinated, his Democratic successor Lyndon Johnson continued the push to get it passed.
Further, looking at how Congress voted on that act gives a broader perspective:
In the House of Representatives Southern Democrats and Southern Republicans voted overwhelming against the act; Northern Democrats and Republican voted overwhelming for the act. The voting record was similar in the Senate.: The act had more Democratic support than it did Republican.
And it’s also interesting that Mr. Roulstone doesn’t talk about events more recent than almost 60 years ago.
Yes, Lincoln was a Republican. But things change over 150 years.
Lisa Hedman
Lynnwood
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