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The Complicated Lincoln and Our Post-Racial Society

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This is an interesting look at what Lincoln did in the age of slavery, and his motives behind his actions; here's a preview from the Change.org article:

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 inasmuch 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.

This doesn't mean Lincoln wasn't opposed to slavery.  He famously said: "If slavery is not wrong, nothing is wrong."  But he wasn't an abolitionist; he would have preferred to let slavery exist where it long had, but felt his hand forced by the course of events.  And his ideal solution to race problems in the U.S. was "colonization."

Posted on  Tuesday, February 17, 2009By icmaldonado
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Source: http://immigration.change.org
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