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January 19, 2005
A President Holds Forth on the Issue of Racism
"I will say that I am not, nor ever have been, in favor of bringing about in any way the social and political equality of the white and black races, that I am not, nor ever have been, in favor of making voters or jurors of Negroes, nor of qualifying them to hold office, nor to intermarry with white people; and I will say in addition to this that there is a physical difference between the white and black races which I believe will forever forbid the two races from living together on terms of social and political equality. And inasmuch as they can not so live, while they do remain together there must be the position of superior and inferior, and I as much as any other man am in favor of having the superior position assigned to the white race."
~ Abraham Lincoln - From the fourth presidential debate with Stephen Douglas, 1858
So yeah, that pretty much explains it all. I mean, if he's not a racist, then no one is. That's what I always thought, but it's still a shock to actually find the man himself confirm it.
Posted by Grant at January 19, 2005 08:55 AM
Comments
Have you ever read the 'Mismeasure of Man' by Stephen Jay Gould, Grant? It's a pretty interesting look at racism, particularly in America...
Posted by: Willow at January 23, 2005 06:58 PM
No, I haven't! Can you tellm e some more about it? :-)
Posted by: Grant at January 23, 2005 09:33 PM
Wow - that is a shock. I didn't know he was a racist. =(
Posted by: Katie at January 25, 2005 11:30 AM
He wasn't perfect any more than other men.
Posted by: Sarah at February 6, 2005 01:11 AM
Wow! Interesting comments but no so surprised. In that day, a white man inviting an African American into his home was probably considered being open-minded. Now, we have different standards and certainly cannot consider someone who believes one race is superior to another to be acceptable. Thank God we have changed... but oh, SO VERY FAR to go... People do not realize the extreme hatred among races that still exists in this country. I know all about it, being from the deep South. Thank God I don't believe that way!
Posted by: Julie at February 28, 2005 08:08 PM