During a recent speech at a White House reception for new Democratic members of Congress, President Biden made remarks that appeared to attempt to rehabilitate the image of late pro-segregation Sen. Strom Thurmond. While Biden emphasized that he wasn't defending Thurmond, he shared some redeeming details about the controversial figure.
Biden recounted a personal anecdote about being asked to deliver Thurmond's eulogy when the senator was 100 years old. He highlighted Thurmond's shift on the issue of separate but equal, noting that Thurmond eventually recognized the need for equal funding for Black schools. Biden also mentioned that Thurmond had more African-Americans on his staff than any other U.S. senator and acknowledged Thurmond's acknowledgment of an illegitimate child with a Black woman.
Throughout his presidency, Biden has referenced his interactions with Thurmond, including claiming that he convinced Thurmond to vote for the Voting Rights Act before the senator's death in 2003. Biden reflected on the progress made in civil rights but also warned that hate continues to exist, albeit in hidden forms.
It's worth noting that Biden was born in 1942, while the Civil Rights Act was passed in 1964, making him 21 at the time of its passage. Despite their overlapping time in the Senate, Biden was not yet a senator when the landmark legislation was enacted.
President Biden's acknowledgment of Strom Thurmond's legacy raises questions about how public figures navigate complex legacies and historical figures with controversial pasts. The speech underscores the complexities of addressing individuals who have played significant roles in shaping the nation's history, even when their actions are viewed through a critical lens.
