Letter to the editor: Democrats' racist history

I’m sure with letter-writer Ken Powell’s vast knowledge, he certainly knows the history of racists (“GOP’s racism,” April 15, TribLIVE). As he stated, he “know(s) the phrases, the looks and the attitudes.”

The first nonwhite congressman was Republican Joseph Rainey, elected in 1870. His election was contested by the Democrats in 1871. The second nonwhite congressman was Jefferson Long, a Republican, elected only a few years after Abraham Lincoln had freed the slaves. Lincoln was a Republican.

The first nonwhite U.S. senator was Republican Hiram Revels, elected in 1870 and opposed by the Democrats. The second was Republican Blanche Bruce of Mississippi.

The 1965 Civil Rights Act was passed with 69% of Democrats voting “yes” and 82% of Republicans voting “yes.”

Certainly Powell conveniently forgot longtime Democratic Sen. Robert Byrd, who once held a prominent role in the Klu Klux Klan.

Like Powell, I am a person of color. Mine is white, same as all colors that people and paint come in. We don’t choose our color.

Our current president so famously told a radio host in May 2020, “if you have a problem figuring out whether you’re for me or Trump, then you ain’t Black.”

Mr. Powell, I suggest you buy a mirror and you might see what a guilty conscience looks like.

Ron Necciai

Rostraver