Letter to the Editor: Republicans are not racists.

Letter to the Editor: Republicans are not racists.

#OceanaCounty

Dear Editor,

“If you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to believe it. The lie can be maintained only for such time as the State can shield the people from the political, economic and/or military consequences of the lie. It thus becomes vitally important for the State to use all of its powers to repress dissent, for the truth is the mortal enemy of the lie, and thus by extension, the truth is the greatest enemy of the State.” Joseph Goebbels

The big lie that has been repeated so often with support from the media is that Republicans are racists. While historians and the media have given the party of Lincoln credit for its achievement in abolishing slavery, not much has been said or written about the continued efforts by Republicans to improve the lives of the African Americans after the Civil War.

“Radical Republicans” wanted not only to free the slaves but to give them equal rights under the law. Further actions taken by Republicans after the Civil War led to the 13th, 14th and 15th amendments and the majority of that support for these amendments came from Republicans. These constitutional amendments provided the framework for the Civil Rights Act and the Voting Rights Act, both supported by Republicans. Do these actions reflect an attitude of racism?

The Democrats started the KKK in 1866. Their initial targets were Republicans, and nearly one fourth of those lynched were white Republicans. Sacrificing one’s life to improve the lives of African Americans epitomizes the Republican’s commitment of freedom for all.

Republican President Dwight Eisenhower pushed through the Civil Rights Act of 1957, and then he backed up that legislation by enforcing desegregation. The Civil Rights Act of 1964, like many of the earlier historic events, was supported by a higher percentage of Republicans than Democrats.

President Lyndon Johnson (in unrepeatable language) spoke of having the black vote for the next 100 years after signing the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Some Democratic leaders deceptively accuse Republicans of racism as a ploy to keep that vote.

However, actions speak louder than words. What have the Democrats done for black communities except to create another type of enslavement – the urban plantation that evolved from Democratic welfare programs In actuality, Republicans are the ones who support equal rights and equal opportunities for all regardless of race.

Marilyn Werner
7948 66th Ave.,
Pentwater