Racist hall of fame: Abraham Lincoln, racist, hero or ???

Editing and music: STARBUSRA

This is an excerpt from the LINCOLN AND DOUGLAS FOURTH JOINT DEBATE,
AT CHARLESTON, SEPTEMBER 18, 1858.
Abraham Lincoln confessed his views on race not more than 150 years ago. Controversial?! Maybe...

The original of this text can be found at: http://www.classic-literature.co.uk/american-authors/19th-century/abraham-lin...


"I will say, then, that I am not, nor ever
have been, in favor of bringing about in
any way the social and political equality
of the white and black races;
that I am not, nor ever have been, in favor
of making voters or jurors of negroes, nor
of qualifying them to hold office, nor to
intermarry with white people; and I will say,
in addition to this, that there is a physical
difference between the white and black races
which I believe will forever forbid the two races
living together on terms of social and political
equality. And in as much as they cannot so live,
while they do remain together there must be
the position of superior and inferior, and I as
much as any other man am in favor of having
the superior position assigned to the white race."

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Abraham
• Lincoln
• on
• racism
• race
• minority
• black
• Americans
• hero
• role
• model
• racist
• slavery
• controversy

[Dmasterman]

To apply 20th century beliefs and standards to an America of 1858 and declare Abraham Lincoln a "racist" is a faulty formula that unfairly distorts Lincoln's true role in advancing civil and human rights. By the standards of his time, Lincoln's views on race and equality were progressive and truly changed minds, policy and most importantly, hearts for years to come.

[starbusra]

I think what you say is one angle, and can be true, but still, we are not living in 1858, and can only reflect from here, 2009. So, where can it take a conversation if we judge what is said through an earlier version of mankind, from the 19th century?! We contemplate through our views, now.

[zeke8tom]

Lincoln was a politician. Obama had to denounce Wright. Time and place is a invalid arguement though (H.D.Thoreau lived then).

I grew up hearing bigoted statements and was told my father was from a different era, then i read books and seen he was just merely stupid. Every era has stupid people and enlightened peoople. Although, sometimes we have to feign stupidity for a bigger cause.

If Abe said he wanted Negroes to vote and intermarry, nothing would have been accomplished. Let history judge

[starbusra]

Finally a comment I can really agree with. Even if almost everyone agrees that Lincoln actually was and is a hero (which I myself can accept and understand, though not completely on all grounds) still - it is always good to see historical figures from all sides, even if they might look controversial. Your last sentence is the most true: that is a fact, he surely would have failed had he said that. (conc. Thoreau, as far as I know, he was the kind who didn't compromise in his views)

[lilmissprincess]

"...I agree with Judge Douglas he is not my equal in many respects-certainly not in color, perhaps not in moral or intellectual endowment. But in the right to eat the bread, without leave of anybody else, which his own hand earns, he is my equal, and the equal of Judge Douglas, and the equal of every living man."-Abraham Lincoln, debating with Douglas in Illinois, 1858

[starbusra]

Okay, Lincoln agreed that "Negros" at least can eat, what they earn, that's nice, that's very handsome - with this in mind, NOW I can forget all that little silliness with intermarrying, voting and office holding. Knowing what you shared, now I wouldn't imagine that such a great guy as Lincoln would be a double-talking manipulator, again I feel I might be wrong posing a question at all... Thanks for sharing!

[coldh2ocarp]

Start researching. lincoln did Not fight a war to end slavery and did NOT free ANY slaves. The slaves were Not free until the 13th amendment which was after he was Dead. Jim Crowe laws & segregation began in the North. Segregation was forced on the South as Reconstruction. Every slave came here on a yankee ship under an American flag Not a Confederate flag. Its time TRUTH be taught!! Not only did lincoln look down on blacks he ordered thousnads of indians murdered. 300,000 blacks helped DfendDXE

[RustyChopper]

Freedom to Dixie land!

[omega14j1]

What many people failed to to be informed of is that Lincoln, in his memoirs, wanted to send all slaves and former slaves back to Africa. Only the blacks born of free men in America were to stay. Imagine how this would've changed history. Was Lincoln a racist? Oh yeah, but some would argue he was our best and wisest president. I can't agree with all of that, but it is a popular opinion. Is this taught in schools? Nope, but I think it should be. After all is it not history?

[lubentle]

@TheShinema Our President is not black, he is mixed aka multi-racial, half white and half black

[ryan1977ify]

@coldh2ocarp like your comment there is only one wrong thing to it slaves didnt come here on american ships they came on Dutch,Spanish,Portugese,french and in the pre 1800's British ships but you are right in all other statements!!!

[brawlmasterx96]

lincoln was a racist. there are transcripts of him say nigger regularly in speeches. he freed the slaves only because it weakened the south, and it was hard for working men, like his father to find work, and compete with those who had slaves.

[TheShinema]

Morals change. Many people shared Lincoln's view at that time. White americans and most abolitions are no different than lincoln. In fact, he is just a man who has its faults...africans live among whites wasn't practical at the time because of the circumstances of intolerance. One thing is that made Abraham Lincoln different, is that he made a opportunity for africans to build this nation even better. Took decades, for africans to fight for their freedoms. We have now a black president.

[Zeeboe]

President Lincoln did in fact believe in the equal rights of white and black people, even if he often presented those beliefs in an esoteric manner. Mr. Lincoln's rhetorical strategies reveal much about his statesmanship as he constantly adjusted his language in order to gain an audience and win their support, while subtly reminding them of equality, without offending them.

[turnedup8484]

Abe lincoln was a racist and made it known. It was only the war and the abolitionist movement that made him abolish slavery. But he left a loop hole that actually led to something worse than slavery.Called the Convict leas system. They exploited the loop hole that said slavery and servitude is illegal unless it is punishment for a crime that a person has committed. During this time they reenslaved so many africans kids and all.and sentenced them to these labor camps and most died. research it.

[jackfire55]

Abraham Lincoln was a great and smart man.

[kissemurra12]

@Dmasterman

To not apply logic and reason such as human empati no matter the age and custom is to not apply logic and reason. If someone was racist in 1939 germany than that person is racist, period. If that person is in the 1800 then that person is racist. Lincoln could however could have tricked the people that would want to keep slavery, and thus tricked them to believe things would continue to go their way. Which it didnt.

[BGDD27]

yes thats all interesting but one thing to think about before judging him. everyone back in that time was racist so you'd think he'd just say all that stuff to get voters. after all in that speech he said no black voters but a year or two after black people were allowed to vote, coincidence. and if he was a racist how come he abolished slavery, if he really did hate black people he would've made them work for him.