To the editor:
As a high school student, I remember hearing a conservative Christian minister on national television offer $100,000 to anyone who could produce irrefutable evidence the Holocaust occurred. I doubt he paid. I’m sure he was pleased with the sudden notoriety. If you’re unsure, I suggest starting with ‘Night’ by Nobel Lauriat, Ellie Wiesel.
By the 1960’s, being an insulated South Dakota boy, I’d never heard of “Jim Crow.” “Separate but Equal” seemed a fine idea.1954’s Supreme Court’s ‘Brown vs. Topeka Kansas Board of Education’ ruling ended segregation in public schools. This didn’t make sense to me or most of my HHS Republican classmates. I later learned black school districts were assigned far fewer funds than white. This, I did not know. Forced racial balance in public schools would force states redesign education finances. The goal: racially balanced racial classes result in equal financing for all students. South Dakota’s education support comes from Pierre at the same rate per student statewide. Most states adjust district boundaries to maintain racial balance, not balanced wealth.
In 1965, the Supreme Court found voting rights literacy tests unconstitutional for they varied in the South along racial lines (Name the wives’ maiden names of all the Presidents). Hence the 1965 “Voting Rights Act.”
In the ‘30s, Muddy Waters, a Blues singer ended his gigs at closing time advising customers, “Be WOKE out there, brothers.” Some say it means, “Don’t be Sleepy.” others, “Be aware.” Late-night outside a bar could turn dangerous. Compare this to the sneer implied today.
The point is issues are changed or maintained for better or worse by those best at selling a viewpoint.
Compare recent videos from Minnesota to administration explanations. Are there conflicts? Are they the same? Which are true?
Truth is determined by your perspective.
C. John McEnelly
Huron
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