Legalities
Life, Politics and the Law From ABC News Correspondent Jan Crawford Greenburg
Jan Crawford Greenburg is a correspondent for ABC News' bureau in Washington DC. She covers politics, the Supreme Court and provides legal analysis for ABC News. She is a graduate of the University of Chicago's law school and is a member of the New York bar.
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Just the Other Day
October 14, 2008 3:10 PM
In the South, when you talk about something happening "the other day," you might mean it happened, oh, a decade or two ago. Time is fluid. Past is present. And no time in the region's past is as present as the 1960s.
When you grow up there, the region's shameful and violent history settles around you. The separate water fountains for "white" and "colored" have long been dismantled, but searing reminders remain.
You drive by Kelly Ingram Park, where police turned dogs and fire hoses on peaceful protesters. You see the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church, where a bomb killed four little girls. You drive across the Edmund Pettus Bridge. You can walk across that bridge, too, and when you approach the crest in the middle, the hair stands up on your arms, as you think about “Bloody Sunday” and how marchers like John Lewis were savagely beaten when they encountered what was waiting for them on the other side.
Sometimes, you can't help but think the mere mention of your state's name or its cities—Birmingham, Selma, Montgomery—is just code for a racist era, one you fervently hope and desperately want to believe is long buried.
After all, the political landscape has changed. African Americans lead the region's major cities, represent it in Congress, fill the ranks of law enforcement. Blacks who migrated North in the 1950s and 1960s are returning "home" to a different, welcoming place. George Wallace is dead, and a new generation is focused on jobs and technology and the boom of opportunity for all—the New South.
But then you are struck by how all of that happened just the other day.
I was a child growing up in rural north Alabama only a decade removed from the bombings, the marches, the killings. The violence ebbed, but the hint of it was there, and prejudices and outright racism lingered. I remember feeling afraid one night when I was about 10 years old and heard faint shouts and music, way off in the distance from our house. My dad told my little brother and me it was a Klan rally, and we all stayed inside.
When we studied the Civil Rights Movement in school, I used to stare at the grainy old black-and-white photographs from that time. I was transfixed by middle-aged white women, in their bouffant hairdos and print dresses. They looked so normal, so ordinary. But their faces, frozen in these photographs, were distorted with hatred. They were screaming at little children like Ruby Bridges in New Orleans and the teenagers in Little Rock, children whose parents just wanted them to have an education like everyone else.
The laws then said blacks were unequal; the politicians would come to preach that blacks also were dangerous. The governor of my home state declared “segregation now, segregation tomorrow and segregation forever,” and crowds cheered. He later stood in the schoolhouse door to keep blacks students from entering the University of Alabama, and emboldened crowds threw bottles and sticks and hurled epithets.
When I was a student at Alabama decades later, I used to walk by that building, Foster Auditorium, on my way to class. I saw R.E.M. play there on Sept. 22, 1984. But I can still imagine Wallace, standing in the schoolhouse door.
It was just the other day.
These are things I’ve thought about since John Lewis evoked the specter of George Wallace over the weekend, after a couple of McCain-Palin rallies degenerated into angry shouts and boos, with some in the crowd crying “kill him” and “off with his head.” Lewis warned that McCain and Palin were tapping into something dangerous when they portrayed Obama as someone who, as Palin repeatedly has said, “pals around with terrorists” and “doesn’t see America the way you and I see America.”
Obama rejected Lewis’s remarks, and Lewis clarified them yesterday, explaining he wasn’t equating John McCain or Sarah Palin to George Wallace. But he found something about the rage spilling out at their rallies—rage from otherwise ordinary looking people--almost horrifying.
I spent most of the day yesterday talking with Southern historians and veterans of the Movement. There's no reason to think McCain and Palin meant to draw these reactions, but what was it about this rage from the crowds that felt so familiar to John Lewis? What is evocative of Wallace? So what was it about the crowds in the recent McCain-Palin rallies that he and others found so disturbing?
Roger Wilkins has known Lewis more than 40 years. He understands his point, and he agrees with it.
“When people are really revved up to hate, it’s of consequence in this society, and we know it because some of us have lived through it, and others have studied it,” Wilkins told me.
Wilkins pointed to Palin’s remarks, in particular: “She’s playing with the worst materials in America—the resentments and hatreds you can raise up around race. In our lifetimes, to some of us, we’ve seen what we saw in 1968. We saw three civil rights workers killed in Mississippi in 1964. We saw Medgar Evers shot down in his garage; we saw a little teenaged boy, Emmitt Till, murdered and thrown in the river; we saw four little girls blown up in a church.
“I lived through the 1960s. I lost a President I was working for. I lost a senator who I respected and admired, and I lost a dear friend who was one of the greatest Americans who ever lived,” Wilkins says. “I hate it when I see people stirring up the basest and rawest instincts in people. And back to Gov. Palin, I’d rather charge her with ignorance than malice.”
Perhaps, he says, Palin--growing up far from the Deep South, in a state relatively unscarred by racial tension--doesn’t know or doesn’t see.
But Wilkins says his perspective is against the backdrop of an underlying fear, grounded in the not-so-distant past of our nation’s history: “You have to know that it is possible, really possible, that a black candidate for President of the United States would get shot, because there is a lot of racism that remains in this country.”
Jeff Frederick, a University of North Carolina at Pembroke professor who wrote a definitive biography on George Wallace, says the rhetoric from McCain and Palin “is significantly short of rising to the level of Wallace-ism.” But he says it nonetheless represents the politics of fear and oversimplification—and that can stir painful memories for lions of the Civil Rights Movement like John Lewis.
“John Lewis is a man who lives with his memories on a daily basis. I imagine he sees this going in a direction that’s potentially very, very bad, and he’s trying to suppress it before it gets much worse,” Frederick said. “What he saw, what changed in his lifetime, what he experienced—you don’t forget those things.
“You’ve got to keep in mind, too, that many of the people who practiced or condoned violence—they were the state employees, the deputy sheriff, the highway patrolmen, the elected politicians, the lawmakers, legislators, people of financial and economic clout,” Frederick said. “Those were the people who kept segregation in place so long. The possibility of him seeing elected leaders practicing the politics of fear probably brings back pretty painful memories for him.”
One major difference today is that the language is, of course, different, and the politics of fear don’t seem to be working, Frederick says. Another is that McCain seems uncomfortable practicing it, he says, and so we see both McCain and Palin scaling back the inflammatory talk.
“It’s not George Wallace. It’s on the way to becoming George Wallace. It could get a lot worse,” Frederick said. “They could go full bore on Jeremiah Wright. They could go full bore on state organizations disseminating these ideas…that the country might be electing a communist, a socialist, a pro-terrorist no different in sentiment than bin Laden. Then you’ve created an atmosphere where it could get out of hand.”
And so Lewis speaks, Frederick says, because he’s afraid it could get to that point, where seemingly ordinary people, their faces distorted with rage and hatred, do unspeakable things.
Lewis has seen it before. It’s ever present. As Faulkner wrote, “The past is never dead. It’s not even past.”
It was just the other day.
October 14, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (26)
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Well put, Counselor. Thank you.
Posted by: William Kutza | Oct 14, 2008 3:30:41 PM
I live in the South, have been here for over 30 years now, and this article really nails right on the head what I have been trying to explain to friends of mine who live in the North. What an excellent piece of journalism, getting deep into the heart of why people are saying some of the recent Republican strategies and speeches, especially Palin's, come off as stirring a rascist stew. Thank you very much for the time and effort you put in to this.
Posted by: Mortimer Snerd | Oct 14, 2008 3:34:10 PM
Beautifully written and I as woman from Rome GA born in 1962 identify very strongly.
Posted by: Jenny Rome Ga | Oct 14, 2008 3:38:06 PM
This is an absolutely brilliant and timely column. It provides a very clear backdrop to Mr. Lewis' comments as well as voice to the concerns of many people, Black and White, who have been struggling to explain to others why these rallies are viscerally bothersome. And it makes the case that ignorance is just as much to blame as malice when it comes to inciting hate. One of the best columns in a long time.
Posted by: RT | Oct 14, 2008 3:43:34 PM
Well written I lived in a time where "good little white girls didn't play with black girls", at 5 in the 60's I didn't understand anymore than I do today. I understand his sentiments, however, are we just supposed to ignore Obama's connections to terrorists and racists, because he is half black. This is a presidential election and we are entitled to know and fully evaluate the candidates. If Barack Obama or his benefactors can't handle that, then they need to go home.
Posted by: samhiguchi | Oct 14, 2008 3:48:40 PM
I live in the South, too, and I don't see this racial hatred you seem to want to resurrect. And maybe I missed something but I didn't see anything racist in Palin's comments. I know it's not PC to tell the truth but someone should. Everything I've heard Obama say leads me to believe he IS a socialist and I don't agree with his stance on abortion either. His view of America isn't mine. And I hope there are sufficient other voters who think the same.
Posted by: Yvonne | Oct 14, 2008 3:56:09 PM
Ever so accurate. Thank you. (from Louisiana)
Posted by: hang | Oct 14, 2008 3:56:18 PM
I have lived in and out of the south for over 60 years. Ever time I took another assignment that brought me back I found just as much bigotry as when I was a child. I have said before that people act one way on the outside an another on the inside. Sometimes it takes just a little to erupt the hatred and prejudice inside. Its is there and you can no remove it. This can come out regardless of which party is speaking at a particular time and audience.
Posted by: William | Oct 14, 2008 4:05:53 PM
It is politics, it is what Lewis made it. He is in essence saying, we don't get to examine Obama and his past or present, we don't get to know anything, except what he tells us, and he get a free pass because he is black. This isn't make believe, Obama wants to be president of this country and we are entitled to know who he is without being called names, without invoking Wallace and without invoking race.
Posted by: samhiguchi | Oct 14, 2008 4:06:46 PM
Stunningly evocative and reflective. A brightly shining example of personal journalism amidst the dull clutter.
Posted by: reader | Oct 14, 2008 4:19:16 PM
Through this article,one can see two diffrent pictures one that is clear and transparent and the other,blurred.
The first the way the writer understood John Lewis and the second the way John MaCain pretended to understand.
As to Sara Palin, I do not belive she would even get it out of this beautifull pcs.
Very Refreshing and uplifting line of thought.
Posted by: SM | Oct 14, 2008 4:27:07 PM
Thoughtful.
Posted by: John McCain's conscience | Oct 14, 2008 4:36:50 PM
Yvonne; No one is trying to resurect hate in the south. The gyst of this article is that the hate of the past lingers just beneath the surface for many. Sarah Palin's comments haven't been overtly racist, but they aren't far from that point, either.
Samhiguchi; Just exactly what are Obama's ties to terrorists? The William Ayers arguments are so full of holes that they couldn't float with a life preserver. Obama wasn't even ten years old when the Weather Underground was active. Do you suppose that Obama (or anyone else, for that matter) should memorize the names of everyone involved in any form of 'terrorism' and then ask every person they meet with the same name as a 'terrorist' whether they are that terrorist? Perhaps we should all run background checks on everyone we meet? You seem inclined to believe that Obama knew William Ayers well, and that he knew he had been a member of the Weather Underground - even though he has stated that he neither knew him well or what he'd done forty years ago.
I, too, grew up in the sixties - in places like Massachussetts, North Carolina, Mississippi, and Texas. Plenty of the kids I went to school with were learning the bigoted ways of their parents. Fortunately, my parents didn't share those attitudes. Equally fortunately, my father was in the Air Force, so I was exposed to people from all walks of life. I learned to judgee people not by the color of their skin, but by the way they treated others.
Posted by: Bob | Oct 14, 2008 4:39:31 PM
Perhaps that should be 'gist'...
Posted by: Bob | Oct 14, 2008 4:41:05 PM
JACKSON ON OBAMA'S AMERICA
PREPARE for a new America: That's the message that the Rev. Jesse Jackson conveyed to participants in the first World Policy Forum, held at this French lakeside resort last week.
He promised "fundamental changes" in US foreign policy -
The most important change would occur in the Middle East, where "decades of putting Israel's interests first" would end.
Jackson believes that, although "Zionists who have controlled American policy for decades" remain strong, they'll lose a great deal of their clout when Barack Obama enters the White House.
Posted by: Real Story | Oct 14, 2008 4:55:55 PM
I agree that tha atmosphere could get worse, but I don't think McCain/Palin are being racist either. But for the people that want to bring up Ayers, I ask you....Which is worse?? The fact that Obama worked on a board providing better education to kids, or McCain being rebuked by the senate ethics commitee for "making bad judgement"? Which cost the American taxpayers 125 Billion dollars??
Posted by: The Oracle | Oct 14, 2008 6:35:14 PM
how about the burning of mccain and palin signs, DEM parties making shirts that call palin a c--t? Will someone bring this up. Why is this not out in the media. The list goes on and on. Calling McCain and Palin racist is a down right lie. What has any one of them said that is racist. Talk about a man who spews hate is obamas preacher and all he had to do was say I didnt knwo he talked like that. When Mccain or palin stand in front of a door so a kid cant go to school or preach segregation then you can call them racist. Until you should call them REP candidates. Quit spreading false hate
Posted by: tim | Oct 14, 2008 10:45:41 PM
The Obama camp is playing the race card. The McCain camp never has. Bringing up Ayers, who is lowlife white trash is not playing the race card.
Since when is funding schools that teach radical ideas considered better education?
Posted by: Linda/Michigan | Oct 14, 2008 11:45:52 PM
Pure garbage. Hey Jan why don't you just come out and say you want Obama to win and that you hate Sarah Palin.
I believe this is the 6th "hit piece" on Palin and not one on your beloved king Obama.
The 60's protest were not peaceful as you have falsley eluded to. Blacks rioted, braking into business's and looting and stealing, while urinating and defacating in restaurants. GOOGLE it if you don't believe it.
Hey Jan if you want Obama to be President so bad just say so, don't lie about the past to try and cover up your contempt for Palin.
Since conservatives are not welcomed by ABC, I'll expect this to be deleted and replaced with liberal idiocy.
Posted by: Liberal hater | Oct 15, 2008 12:22:55 AM
I have lived in the same county in which Mrs. Greenburg was raised for my entire life, almost 53 years, and lived through the turbulent 60's in the Deep South. Dr. King was one of my heroes and my children have never been taught that there is a difference between black children and white children. I am a Republican because the platform upon which the party stands is consistent with my Christian belief system and the positions taken by those in the Democratic party are inconsistent with my view of my country and inconsistent with my faith. While there are remnants of the racial discrimination of the 60's everywhere, not just in the South, the Deep South is not the same place it was during the unfortunate time referred to in this article, and it never will be again. It is also ridiculous to attempt to compare the racial and political environment of the 60's, with its rhetoric of hatred, to comments made and positions taken by McCain and Palin. This election is not about race and to attempt to draw that correlation is a real stretch. It is about 2 different, polarized views of the world and about our nation. It is about the difference in a position so aligned with socialist doctrine it is frightening as compared to a belief in the form and system of government upon which this country was founded and an economic system which made this country the most prosperous and blessed country in the world. It is about the sanctity of human life, it is about the sanctity and dignity of the family, it is about the freedom to put God at the forefront of our society and not put Him in a closet, only to be recognized on Sunday morning in some PC sermon that the "government" might restrict so as not to injure the psyche of individuals engaged in a sinful lifestyle. There are serious character and association questions which need to be addressed. We are talking about electing the leader of the free world. Let us not lose focus on what this election is actually about, and it has nothing to do with race. Sure, there are a few ignoramouses out there who still live in the racially charged attitudes of the 60's, both black and white, but this election is about the direction in which this country is to go, not race. The socialist model of government, with its redistribution of wealth, has never been successful. The American system has worked. Why change it, because we have a blip in our economy? There is much more to this election than money. It is important, it affects all of our lives, but it not the most important issue in this election for most grass roots conservative Americans. So please, stop trying to spin this election into a race issue.
Posted by: Calvin | Oct 15, 2008 11:36:55 AM
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