Mitch McConnell: 1619, American slavery starting point, not an important point in history

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Louisville Courier Journal

Morgan Watkins, Louisville Courier Journal 2 hrs ago


LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said Monday he doesn’t think 1619 is one of the most important points in U.S. history.

That's the year the first enslaved Africans were brought to and sold in the Virginia colony, a point often considered as the beginning of American slavery.

“I think this is about American history and the most important dates in American history. And my view — and I think most Americans think — dates like 1776, the Declaration of Independence; 1787, the Constitution; 1861-1865, the Civil War, are sort of the basic tenets of American history,” McConnell said during an appearance at the University of Louisville.

“There are a lot of exotic notions about what are the most important points in American history. I simply disagree with the notion that The New York Times laid out there that the year 1619 was one of those years.

Read more: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/mitch-mcconnell-1619-american-slavery-starting-point-not-an-important-point-in-history/ar-BB1gjGLf?li=BBnb7Kz

[LenaBaby61]

1. Ya know ...

I am hoping that the Good Lord above allows me to SEE the KARMA that catches up with this racist, greedy, treasonous, Supreme Court packing mutherfukker. It starts when he's not able to finish his term as Senator from Kentucky, then as MINORITY leader of his treasonous, racist, GQP buddies, then his racist, worthless life goes down from there, and like Baby Yoda, I'm gonna just stand there and enjoy racist turtle's karma.

[Ford_Prefect]

2. Aw, Shucks Mitch. You can do better than that...Can't you?

[modrepub]

3. People Find Out On Their Own

There are plenty of dark moments in this country's history. You can't hide them from people who are determined to learn more about them.

People like McConnel can rant and rail against the darker moments of our history. But they can't prevent folks from investigating them and communicating their findings to those who are interested. In the end, most people see through the lies and more importantly discard the liers.

[Botany]

4. Tell us more Mitch please.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

5. Racists are by definition ignorant

Ignorant of real history.

Ignorant of their own racism.

Ignorant of systemic racism.

Ignorant.

[jaxexpat]

7. As they say, "boys will be boys",

and then, in the fullness of time.....,"ignorant old men will be ignorant old men".

It's because the presumption of competence begets incompetence. Further, in an exemplary display of irony, it was a Georgian spa supported and made famous by Franklin Roosevelt which, in 1944, spared Mitch permanent crippling from polio.

[BlueMTexpat]

6. Moscow Mitch

is so proud to display his vast ignorance!

I hope that Merrick Garland catches up with him and his corrupt spouse.

That would be karma indeed!

[abqtommy]

8. It's an interesting tell on the state of news today that the opinions of Moscow Mitch

McConnel are worth noting and discussing. It's just disgusting.

[Baitball Blogger]

9. They think they're being civil and unifying when they brush over racial issues.

They don't understand that not talking about race issues does not make them racially sensitive.

[onetexan]

10. Its because of 1619 that we had the civil war, moscow mitch

The GOP's denial of slavery is the same as those who deny the holocaust ever happened.

[PaulRevere08]

13. And so much more. If the African slave market never came to our shores our whole

economic development and history would have changed. We may have turned out more like Australia or Canada having never fought the revolution.

[eShirl]

11. But I thought he was proud of "Heritage" (white supremacy, slavery).

[madaboutharry]

12. Mitch McConnell is a corrupt white man

who lives in a bubble of wealth and privilege. He doesn’t care about history and he doesn’t care about people. He worships money. He hides behind his Chinese wife to shield himself from accusations of racism. He is not a good or decent person. This is an entirely predictable thing for him to say.

[Maxheader]

14. the wingers are getting all stirred up ,

About putting things in kids history books that puts

them into a bad light. It will be interesting to see how

stumpy is written up . Someplace else I read a post by

a concerned parent that their kids are being bullied

for having conservative values....

[Grimelle]

15. Mitch is from a border state

Who still wants to be a slave state

[MineralMan]

16. Says the pasty, white, doughy Senator from Kentucky.

Resign, Mitch. Just resign, and do it today.

[niyad]

17. I would rather he stroked out today.

[llashram]

18. so full of ..it

1619--Jamestown and then on to the American Genocide of First Americans...very consequential to our development as the United States. Typical supremacist bullshit. Make all guilt inconsequential by revising the history to fit ideology and mask crimes against humanity. Great country, just too many distortions and political cultural-racial division(s) based on the lies that started in Jamestown 1619 and continuing 1/6/21.

[zipplewrath]

19. Absolutely

Without slaves, the entire economic development of the southern states is completely different. It is why there were tensions between the north and south at the beginning of the revolution. Slaves were relatively rare in the north which was mostly merchants and trades. The south was extensively agrarian and needed slave labor to support their economic structure.

[Blue_Tires]

20. Who fucking asked him??

[maxsolomon]

21. This is their entire plan for the Midterms.

Assign to Libs a "Hate America" position and refuse to address substance.

I highly recommend that everyone read (or skim) Trump's Hillsdale College-penned "1776 Project". Weak sauce for terrified minds. They have no interest in kids learning historic facts.

[Pas-de-Calais]

22. McTurtle's birthday is another one to consider as well

That day

An ominous cloud descended from below

nt

[summer_in_TX]

23. Sanitizing the history of a nation is a major step towards authoritarianism.

The Republicans have been trying to do it for years. Since they have control of the Texas Board of Education which uses its enormous buying power to shape what can be included in textbooks.

Right now the Texas legislature is considering legislation (HB 3979 and its companion bill, SB 2202) that would control and limit free speech and ideas of teachers, students and state agency employees. HB 3979 would prohibit instruction and discussions about certain concepts related to race, sex, diversity and discrimination in social studies, history, government and civics courses.

HB 3979 would discourage teachers from discussing current events in social studies courses. (These discussions are a critical part of learning and social emotional wellness.)

It would prohibit students from receiving course credit for participation in activities and organizations that encourage civic engagement, including engagement in our public policymaking and legislative processes.

HB 3979 would prohibit important schoolwide training for teachers, administrators, state agency employees, and school district or charter school staff on race and gender diversity and inclusion practices related to social studies, history, government and similar subjects.

It would also prohibit school districts, charter schools or state agencies from seeking private funding to develop curriculum, training or materials for courses in the social studies curriculum.

Texas is not the only state this is happening in.

[brush]

24. There would've been no Civil War and 1865 if there was no 1619.

Last edited Wed May 5, 2021, 05:01 PM - Edit history (1)

Duh!

McTurtle you may pull the wool over some eyes but not everyone's. We know the involvement of your ancestors, your ancestors and wealth passed down to you, in enslavement of other human beings.

Best to do what you can to make amends instead of hiding.

[Nexus2]

25. I passed this on to some friends and received some responses that were illustrative of different POV

Among them:

I’m actually inclined to agree; in 1619, slavery was still a fairly common practice worldwide. A much more significant date would be March 6, 1857, the date of the Dred Scott decision. That ruling explicitly stated that nonwhites were not and could not be US citizens, and also overturned the “once free, always free” doctrine common even in slave states, as well as, by implication, denying slaves the ability to buy their own freedom.

Yeah, I would agree with that in terms of American uniqueness in dealing with its “peculiar institution.” By no means ignore or brush under the rug but 1619 isn’t a “most important date in US history.” I think the Missouri Compromise of 1820 is another one - trying to legislate morality & balance of political power along a border for free & slave states. Instructive too in our political times today too. I guess even a broke clock like McConnell can be right twice a day... smh

[Nexus2]

27. One more and with a suggested alternative date.

Further research turned up a better date than 1619 or March 6, 1857: July 9, 1640, the date of the John Punch decision.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Punch_(slave)

[EndlessWire]

26. No, no, no

"And my view — and I think most Americans think — dates like..."

Most Americans do NOT think as you do. Don't presume to speak for me, you lout.

OF COURSE you don't believe the date is important. That's why you are taking taxpayer dollars to play obstructionist games. You don't want any American to know the date that was the worst happening in African history.

Why don't you rephrase your statement--say, "Most GOPers think..." Unless you just think that "most Americans" only include you and your fascist buddies.

The truth is, we DID THAT. You don't want to pay reparations, do you? Because that's what's coming next. Well, boo effing hoo to you.

[oasis]

28. Jan. 6, 2021. Another important day in U.S. history. Got that Mitch?