Thread by @kegill

I don’t “do” video or cable guys. But this is important.

This clip should be required viewing in every history class in America. TY @chrislhayes and your research team.

As a native of south Georgia, I can assure you I did not learn the history of the KKK at school.

What I did learn was how evil the federal government was during Reconstruction.

Instead of the history of the KKK, I learned about “carpetbaggers" and "scalawags,” white people seeking justice for former slaves.

Chris stopped before the punch line. He described President Andrew Johnson’s wink-wink in support of white supremacy (‘states rights’ an early dog whistle that permeated my education).

Congress IMPEACHED Johnson.

“After Johnson vetoed the bills–causing a permanent rupture in his relationship with Congress that would culminate in his impeachment in 1868–the Civil Rights Act became the first major bill to become law over presidential veto.” history.com/topics/america…

Read that again:
“the Civil Rights Act became the first major bill to become law over presidential veto.”

Congress passed the Reconstruction Act in 1867, again over Johnson’s veto.

This is the period that I was taught was the evil federal government imposing its will on the south in violation of states rights.

Every time I dip into the history of the Civil War and its aftermath... I come away in despair. NO WONDER bigotry remains the default setting for white southern males. 😕