Jesse Helms
It’s in poor taste to make nasty comments about someone who just died. And I don’t welcome the death of anyone. But that doesn’t mean one has to invoke false accolades upon the passing of someone with a questionable history. David Broder’s column when Jesse Helms retired in 2001 put things in perspective.
What really sets Jesse Helms apart is that he is the last prominent unabashed white racist politician in this country — a title that one hopes will now be permanently retired. A few editorials and columns came close to saying that. But the squeamishness of much of the press in characterizing Helms for what he is suggests an unwillingness to confront the reality of race in our national life.
My own paper, The Washington Post, carried three stories about Helms’s departure. In their 54 paragraphs, exactly two — the 10th paragraph of one story and the last paragraph of another — alluded to the subject of race.
Let me be clear. Helms has fought many battles in his career, and whether you agreed with him or not on small issues such as the funding of the arts or large ones such as Cuba, China, the Panama Canal and the United Nations, you had to respect his right as an elected and reelected senator to fight for his beliefs.
Uniike George Wallace, Broder pointed out at the time, Helms never recanted his racist beliefs or apologized for using race for political gain. In 1984, Helms’s toughest race against Jim Hunt, reporter Bill Peterson wrote:
“Helms campaign literature sounded a drumbeat of warnings about black voter-registration drives. . . . On election eve, he accused Hunt of being supported by ‘homosexuals, the labor union bosses and the crooks’ and said he feared a large ‘bloc vote.’ What did he mean? ‘The black vote,’ Helms said.” He won, 52 percent to 48 percent.
And then there was 1990.
In 1990, locked in a tight race with an African American Democrat, former Charlotte mayor Harvey Gantt, Helms aired a final-week TV ad that showed a pair of white hands crumpling a rejection letter, while an announcer said, “You needed that job and you were the best qualified. But they had to give it to a minority because of a racial quota.” Once again, he pulled through.
That is not a history to be sanitized.
Al Sharpton’s statement on the passing of Jesse Helms has it right:
“The death of Jesse Helms certainly requires of me to express my condolences and sympathy to his family. Certainly Senator Helm’s career represented a regressive and archaic politics to many of us but I hope he found his peace with God before he made his transition. The bad news is that he represented an old South that was unfair and unequal. The good news is that he lived to see the changing of the South which still has yet a long way to go but has come a long way from where it was and despite his resistance, has changed and continues to grow. Despite our difference of views and vision my prayers are with his family at this hour of sorrow.”
Reverend Al Sharpton, President of National Action Network
I’m sure he’ll feel right at home in Hell…
Yeah I said it…
July 4th, 2008 at 5:21 pm
Why is Robert Byrd still serving in the Senate with his “questionable history”? Democrat = getting a pass? Recant your views and you can be a former hardcore racist and serve FOREVER?
Furyus, I thought liberals didn’t believe in Hell. And you are saying that someone who grows up ignorant to racial tolerance automatically deserves damnation?
I partially agree with Al Sharpton’s statement, surprisingly. However, to “make peace with God” you have be politically progressive? He was regressive and archaic and God cares that Helms didn’t like quotas and affirmative action?
Oh, and Alan…2001 not 1991 on the Broder column. Had me confused there for a second.
July 4th, 2008 at 5:36 pm
Perhaps because Byrd saw the error of his ways and ‘got religion’ so to speak.
Helms never did.
July 4th, 2008 at 6:21 pm
..liberals don’t believe in Hell…where in the play book is that?
July 4th, 2008 at 6:50 pm
What we say in death, is a lasting reflection on our souls. Sen. Jesse Helms served his constituients well and provided a strong argument for both sides of the isle. We can’t agree to disagree with people like Sen. Helms. We’ve got to beat him or join him. Isn’t that what the 2008 election is all about? We’ve got to beat the traditional argument for racism, sexism, endless war, homophobia, selective enforcement of the law and protect and defend the Constitution or the Democratic Party is over. Rest in Peace Sen. Helms. The argument could not be any clearer. What will America do without you? I pray that we find the courage to “Change.” Yes, “We Can!”
July 4th, 2008 at 7:19 pm
Yes flap Hell, ya know, where you’re from…
July 4th, 2008 at 8:44 pm
I will sink to your level, Fury. “Go to Hell.”
July 4th, 2008 at 10:29 pm
Flap ~
Perhaps my memo was lost in the mail ~ liberals do not believe in Hell? I will make sure to update my Priest this Sunday.
Are you implying that Senator Helm’s was ignorant to racial tolerance because he was an older man from the South? Although I would agree that a white man his age raised in the South would certainly have been exposed to racist thoughts; that does not mean the fact that he was a racist is excusable! Did this man not go to college? During his political career did he not interact with well educated, progressive thinking individuals who were not racist? Was he never exposed to the idea that racism is a bad thing? People are accountable for their own actions. Treating others how you would want treated is a pretty simplistic thing to understand.
July 5th, 2008 at 1:41 am
How long will it be before we hear about Helms’ love child with the family’s black maid?
5, 4, 3, 2, 1 ……..
July 5th, 2008 at 2:18 am
Good riddence!
July 5th, 2008 at 2:39 am
Strom and I welcome our good friend Jesse.
July 5th, 2008 at 8:45 am
Dont blame jesse Helms, Blame the people who voted for him & yes I am more then sure there were black/african american votes for him too.
Im just glad I dont live in his state
July 5th, 2008 at 11:08 am
I didn’t pray for that creep. I understand he is wearing a flame retardant suit, just in case.
July 5th, 2008 at 11:37 am
FuRyUs:
Pay no attention to Flap. He’s a troll.
July 5th, 2008 at 12:49 pm
Mouse said:
“How long will it be before we hear about Helms’ love child with the family’s black maid?
5, 4, 3, 2, 1 ……..”
lol, woman. I really wouldn’t be surprised if this was true.
Fury said:
“I’m sure he’ll feel right at home in Hell…
Yeah I said it…”
Good grief, man! Yeah I love you Fury, but you are touched in the head!
I think that Sharpton’s statement was compassionate and diplomatic. Very well said.
It’s unfortunate that Mr. Helms has passed on and his family must mourn his death, but…
July 5th, 2008 at 1:43 pm
One shouldn’t really speak ill of the dead, but Helms was an unrepentent racist and I would be lying if I said I mourn his passing.
July 5th, 2008 at 7:42 pm
Al Sharpton & Jessie Jackson use “Reverand” abreviated before their names to disguise themselves from what they truly are. His statement wasn’t one of compassion or diplomacy. It was strictly political. He and Mr. Jackson have learned well how to use political rhetoric to disguise their views. Their careers promote racism because it earns them their living and has made them very rich men.
July 5th, 2008 at 11:56 pm
SHUT UP AL !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
July 6th, 2008 at 2:05 am