Governor Barbour and the Civil Rights Era

[Dr. Cheese]

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/44/...tion-this.html

This is interesting because many people have gotten upset with what seems like Barbour minimizing the Civil Rights struggle. I recently saw another link that made a good point, to Barbour, it probably wasn't that bad. He was a white teenager, he didn't exactly have to worry about ending up like Emmett Till. The point is that Blacks during that era certainly didn't see the struggle or the Citizens Councils in such a benign light.

My point is not to put down Barbour. I just think this is a great example of historical memory, and why research from multiple angles is so important!

[stratovani]

Interesting. I think you hit the nail right on the head. Barbour was a teenager, with the interests of a typical teenager. A white teenager, at that.

I find the poll question interesting: If Haley Barbour runs for president in 2012, will his comments on the civil-rights era be a problem for him? Yes, they show racial insensitivity, or No, he is only describing his personal experience. Hard to say how people will react. I know one thing, if this comes up during the primaries he probably won't get too far.

Hope this isn't too political. Mods, delete if you think it is.

[MIJ-VI]

"Haley Barbour: I don't remember the civil rights era being that bad"

And the Cuban missile crises was a 'misunderstanding'...