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To the Newsletter Editor: While I have enormous respect for Nell Irvin Painter, I object to honoring Senator Robert C. Byrd with the Friend of History Award. [Painter, “Senator Robert C. Byrd 2007 Friend of History,” Newsletter, May 2007, 1.] Byrd led the long filibuster against the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Equal Accommodations Act. Nell Painter alludes to this in her last paragraphs when she mentions that “back then I heard Senator Byrd as someone speaking against, rather than for, my interests as an American.” It was no minor peccadillo, easily forgiven with the passage of time. Moreover, he did not merely cast a vote demanded by his constituency. He was an active, passionate leader. Byrd claimed to be objecting to the increase in federal power. He was in fact speaking for the maintenance of Jim Crow and all that implied. We historians, especially, should respect that oft quoted passage of William Faulkner’s “The past is never dead. It isn’t even past.” I hardly know where to turn to object when an aircraft carrier is named after Senator John Stennis, but can at least register my objection to the OAH honoring Senator Byrd. Sincerely yours, Daniel Levine |
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