Ronald Reagan States' Rights Speech in Philadelphia, MS

Just after the 1980 GOP convention, Ronald Reagan visited Philadelphia, MS, where sixteen years earlier, three civil rights activists were murdered. Reagan explained his support for states' rights, a rallying cry for racists opposed to civil rights laws.

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• Reagan
• Neshoba
• Philadelphia

[ctwriter]

There is not a chance in hell that he was NOT appealing to Southern racists by going to Philadelphia, MS, and using the battle cry of "states' rights" a mere 16 years after the notorious tragedy. Why else would he go to such a remote place and use those specific words? There are thousands and thousands of cities and towns across 50 states to choose from. Why Philadelphia, MS? Why states' rights? To say anything else is to rewrite history.

[jd24717]

States' rights is a great thing. So is civil rights.

But at the same time, it has been used as a code word for "let you continue being racist. We won't stop you." It's a shame, but that's what it's come to mean.

[amberwhite122589]

@perdondaris Hey, you qualify for an Alheimer's Commercial!!! Good job LIBERAT!

[perdondaris]

Reagan was a slick politician. Bill Clinton had nothing on Ronny for lying and cheating. Just look at the rap sheet of his administration. I remember Reagan saying the deficit is "big enough to take care of itself" and Reagan breaking the law and getting away with it (Iran Contra).I remember his "small government" BS--all the while trying to ban pornography and ramping up the war on drugs and bailing out the S&Ls.

[toddsmitts]

For the record, I don't think Reagan was a racist in the way that James Eastland or Strom Thurmond were racists, but he was clearly more interested in courting those who were than African-Americans. He initially authorized the Treasury and Justice depts to ask the Bob Jones v. US case be dropped, he opposed sanctions against South Africa until congress passed it with a veto-proof majority, and called the Voting Right act of 1964 "humiliating to the south". It's clear whose favor he was seeking

[s99bf0c8]

@NOBULLSPIN1

I'm a liberal, I'm also a catholic. I am not evil. I do not have a mental disorder. I don't understand what you mean

[harpolew]

I was at the fair on this day, and there were people from a lot of states, too.

[daveroadie2004]

@NOBULLSPIN1 ....... Jim David Adkisson was found to have the book Liberalism is a Mental Disorder by retard Michael Savage , after he shot 8 people killing 3 of them in a Knoxville Tenn. Unitarian church while

25 schoolchildren put on a production of " Annie " ..... the sun will come out tomorrow , bet your bottom dollar .... conservatives suck . GOOGLE it .

[Mr40acresandamule]

@shore2222 That is because the state legislature in California was starting to become more progressive in regards to civil rights and would have overridden any executive veto.

[Mr40acresandamule]

There is nothing wrong with state and local governments managing their affairs. In 1980, there were deep divisions still among blacks and whites in the South over the role of government. State governments and local governments and the private sectors in the South would not have brought blacks into full economic, political, and social citizenship without the impact of the federal government. Reagan knew that. His advisors suggested Reagan to go into Harlem to make good with the black community.

[NOBULLSPIN1]

Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson are telling the truth! A+++++The evil liberals are what is wrong with America period! Liberalism is a Mental Disorder! Read: Liberalism is a Mental Disorder by Michael Savage! Michael Savage tells the truth about liberalism!

[whiteliberal1]

@shore2222 Spare us the general comments. Tell us about the specifics!

We can start with the 'King Holiday'. He was forced to make it an official (Federal) Holiday.

Now, tell us about the ones he signed while serving as Governor.

Southern Stategy......