It’s not simple. Biden in no way supported mandated racial segregation like in the South, and he strongly embraced the Civil Rights Movement. But like most whites in Northeast he couldn’t see/acknowledge the racism behind de facto segregation of schools in his home state. 1/4
https://twitter.com/JenLiaLongo/status/1144656606052798465
He & his constituents seized on the “unfairness” of being “forced” to move kids from neighborhood schools to achieve racial balance. They were not yelling “segregation forever” like folks were down in my Mississippi home. But racial fears and bias *were* driving it. 2/4
Busing was fraught with real problems & badly executed. But opposition showed Republicans & George Wallace-ites another way to stoke racial fears w/out openly endorsing racist ideas. Nixon & Ford admins used “forced busing” as a bludgeon to attack all racial equity efforts. 3/4
The tragedy for Biden was being unable to see what busing furor was really about, and how it was being used in 70s by Republican Party to attract racists. He was naive and misguided & should be able to see and say that.
His commitment to equal rights today is unassailable. 4/4
His commitment to equal rights today is unassailable. 4/4
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