What Tren Lott Ought to Apologize For In truth, the evidence of Trent Lott's racism is circumstantial. If he is a racist, he has been careful to avoid the most overt indications of his feelings; his voting record is certainly troubling, but it does not prove that he is a bigot. In America today, racism is a heinous charge and and such an accusation should only be made where there is compelling evidence. Lott's case comes very close, but it doesn't quite reach the bar.
But Trent Lott still has something to apologize for, both to African-Americans and to his fellow Republicans. Lott has cavorted with racists in his state for their political support. He has allowed them to believe that he shares their convictions, and he has allowed their organizations to claim a small share of legitimacy by appearing at their functions, writing for their newsletters and refusing to publicly denounce the principals that they espouse. Trent Lott has catered to the worst elements in the conservative movement not only by allowing a sordid chapter of American history to continue into a new century, but he has also rejected a chance to help his party move beyond it's its reputation as a haunt for segregationists and 19th century bigots and to build relationships with minority communities that are becoming an increasingly important segment of the voting population.
These tactics may help Lott's personal career but they hurt the Republican party in the long term especially in other areas of the country like the Northeast and the West coast. The Republican party will only find more difficult to field national candidates if moderates are continuously reminded that certain segments of the party are beholden to the reactionary elements of the Old South. When the majority leader of the Senate publicly refuses to repudiate even the most repugnant beliefs of some of his most enthusiastic and long time supporters, the entire party is weakened.
Trent Lott should first apologize to African-Americans for thirty years of failing to take a moral stand against hatred. He should then apologize to all Republicans for failing to failing to live up to the highest ideals of the Party. And then he should resign his leadership post by acknowledging that he does not deservet--nor can he now adequately fulfill the duties of-- that post.
In Lott's Life, Long Shadows of Segregation. Early in his life and pre-Congressional career, segregation pervaded Senator Trent Lott's world and served him well politically. By David M. Halbfinger. [New York Times: Politics]
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