Beware, some smart people are speaking truth about today's two major political parties with relation to Blacks, but truth devoid of context is not factual - context matters. Let's briefly set the record straight. A thread:
1/ Today's Democratic party was the 1800s & early 20th century Republican party (literally) & had Black support. Lincoln was in fact a Republican, but here's context: he was moderate-left on social issues (he opposed slavery but supported segregation).
2/ A notable transition started in the 1920's: Republicans refused to pursue civil rights (go further left), which alienated black voters (who overcame suppression ref: poll tax.). In late 20s, Hoover, a Republican President, ingratiated himself with southern segregationists.
3/ Then the 1929 Great Depression & Hoover failed to implement economic policies to help African Americans, who were hit harder by the massive collapse (jim crow was thriving)– further alienating them. A Democrat named FDR proposed a Deal, that appealed to Black business owners
4/ Now, FDR who was evasive about race, was urged by First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt to be more responsive and include Blacks in the Admin (enter Mary Bethune & Harold Ickes, who was a Republican & Prez of Chicago NAACP). AND this is when the shift/realignment happened...
5/ Harold Hicks was appointed Secretary of Interior/Federal Works. He banned segregation in his department & mandated federal contractors hire a base % of Blacks at equal/higher than previous years. Blacks, traditionally leery of Democrats took notice. Enter Arthur Mitchell...
6/ who became the first Black Democratic Congressman running on a platform that tapped into urban black support & touted economic relief in the New Deal. The New Deal lacked major economic relief BUT the tangible assistance it provided gave a sense that the system was at least..
7/ addressing issues important to African Americans & African Americans started joining the Democratic Party in large numbers- then the 60s opened the flood gates. Remember, Republicans were RESISTANT to Blacks having civil rights – they became the conservative party, today’s GOP
8/ The ‘then’ Democratic Party became the National Democratic Party (today’s Democrats) affording Blacks a chance at advancement. Realignment complete. Recap: GOP, after abolishing slavery, refused to go further left and include civil rights. The Democratic party, with fierce..
9/ advocacy by First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, became inclusive. Skilled orators (C. Owens) will tell a truth w/o context - context matters. @nhannahjones @michaelharriot @FoxBlackout @iamcardib #BidenHarris2020 #VoteBlue #BidenHarrisLandslide2020 #misinformation
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