I want to ask a question, and it comes from an honest and naive place.

[Raine1967]

I just read this post http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024761241

I agree with the OP, this is a right. (it's a shame that a right needs to be legislated) but it popped a question into my head. Blu

Does DU have any AA members that experienced/lived through the era prior to the civil rights act being signed into law?

I would love to read the perspective of what people thought after it was signed into law. Did supporters of the Civil Rights Act(s) ever feel like they had to apologize for what it did? Did the CRA have the same kind of reaction that the ACA is having?

It's my opinion that the CRA could have gone farther, but my perspective is one based on history. I was born in 1967, so for me, hindsite is 20/20. Did people at the time feel they needed a disclaimer to proclaim their support for the CRA?

(I may not be around tonite to respond, but I will be here tomorrow during the day)

I hope this all makes sense.

[Anansi1171]

1. Kick!-nt

[kwassa]

2. Some indirect perspective.

The simple answer is no, it is not like what is happening to the ACA, nobody ever apologized for it BUT there was lots of resistance in regards to school busing, and the integration of schools. The only vocal opposition in favor of segregation came from the south. White flight was a byproduct of this, too, in some places. I was a little kid when it happened but I remember it.

Full disclosure: I am white, my wife is black, she was first to desegregate a previously all-white school as a kindergartner in Maryland in 1965. Her parents, my in-laws, grew up in segregated settings, went to college at HBCUs, though to graduate school at state schools.

A black friend had her first teaching experience in Boston during the school busing fight there, a very scary experience. She is still teaching after all these years. Another woman I briefly knew had done some of the original lunch counter sit-ins in Greensboro,NC, with a very young Jesse Jackson.

Also, the civil rights movement was very visible, over a period of time, where the health rights idea is largely invisible. There are no picket lines out there of citizens demanding health insurance.

[Raine1967]

3. Thank you.

This helps to put things in some kind of perspective. I appreciate it.

I don't know if it is for me to compare the CRA to the ACA but I do believe this is historical legislation.

[Number23]

4. I think the reason you may not be getting very many answers, Raine is that unlike GD

I believe that most of the posters in this forum are under the age of 60.

[Raine1967]

5. Thanks Number23

I'm trying to understand things in a historical context.
I thought that maybe the age thing would be an issue (not in a bad way, but more like I might not be able to get an answer for the reason you mentioned.)

[Number23]

6. I think this post is interesting and would have loved for it to have gotten tons of replies

But I think the numbers just aren't there. I appreciate you for trying though.

[Raine1967]

7. I tempted myself to ask this of a broader audience on DU

but, honestly, my gut said no.

It's a bummer that the numbers aren't here.

I think I am gonna go look more into this. I'd really like to know how these things are historically comparable (or not).

[MrScorpio]

8. I'm only 52. I wish that I could help you. nt

[Blue_Tires]

9. I was born after that era, but even I can answer some of

your questions, based on the experiences my parents (both born and raised in segregated south) passed on to me...

Did supporters of the Civil Rights Act(s) ever feel like they had to apologize for what it did?
-No...Why would anyone apologize for wanting equal rights, something which had been systematically denied for one hundred years?

Did the CRA have the same kind of reaction that the ACA is having?
-No, while the sentiment behind the opposition's attitude is essentially the same, the CRA had a much worse reaction...I'll put it to you like this: Even the most ignorant, mean-spirited and hateful people figure out eventually where their best interests lie (even if it takes them their entire lives to understand)...Despite the rhetoric, haters eventually came around on Social Security, Medicare, etc. once they started to see the benefits...BUT if a person believes God made him and people who look like him "better" than a race which for centuries had second or third class status; he's keeping those beliefs all the way to the grave....

[Raine1967]

10. Thanks.

This gives me a little more perspective.

..and a little more food for thought.