26 August 2008, 3:28 pm
This is a breakdown of the vote for the Civil Rights Act of 1964 - showing much stronger support for the bill from Republicans (Northern and Southern) than from Democrats (whose Southern branch was STRONGLY against) Where did this myth get started, that Democrats are the Party of Civil Rights? The original House version: Southern Democrats: 7-87 (7%-93%) Southern Republicans: 0-10 (0%-100%) Northern Democrats: 145-9 (94%-6%) Northern Republicans: 138-24 (85%-15%) The Senate version: Southern Democrats: 1-20 (5%-95%) (only Senator Ralph Yarborough of Texas voted in favor) Southern Republicans: 0-1 (0%-100%) (this was Senator John Tower of Texas) Northern Democrats: 45-1 (98%-2%) (only Senator Robert Byrd of West Virginia opposed the measure) Northern Republicans: 27-5 (84%-16%) (Senators Bourke Hickenlooper of Iowa, Barry Goldwater of Arizona, Edwin L. Mechem of New Mexico, Milward L. Simpson of Wyoming, and Norris H. Cotton of New Hampshire opposed the measure) I didn't say anything about why people should vote for any particular party. Black voters, like all of us, make up their minds on a variety of issues, some personal, some societal. My question merely goes to the myth that one party has a stronger record on Civil Rights than the other. That's all. I don't know why I disgust you, dear. I watch all the Black voters in my family, and we come to different conclusions sometimes, and the same conclusions others. And we still talk to each other, and don't resort to name calling.... read more
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