During an interview on MSNBC, Joy Reid confronted Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL) regarding his recent statement that the Jim Crow era was better for Black families. She presented him with some harsh realities about the societal limitations that Black people faced during that time.
During a campaign event in Philadelphia on Tuesday, Donalds made a statement suggesting that the Black family remained intact during Jim Crow, a time when segregation was enforced by white lawmakers to hinder the progress of Black Americans after the end of slavery.
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In response to the numerous criticisms he has received, Donalds has been adamant in stating that his remarks were taken out of context and that he did not express any sense of nostalgia. During his conversation with Reid, he emphasized this point once again.
In this election cycle and beyond, many Black individuals are increasingly drawn to the Republican party. According to one commentator, it is crucial to acknowledge and discuss this trend, particularly in regards to Black families. “The overarching issue is talking just about Black families and why you’re seeing a trend of Black people leaning towards Republicans in this election cycle, and probably in election cycles to come,” he stated.
“When you’re raising a family and thinking about public policy and economic issues, it’s natural to have different political views. However, let me make it clear that any claims suggesting I support Jim Crow laws or that I was being nostalgic about them are purely political spin. It’s a fabricated lie and a form of gaslighting, which is truly unfortunate.”
However, Reid didn’t find Donalds’ response satisfactory. She probed further and asked him to clarify his reference to Jim Crow laws. Donalds simply stated that he was referring to marriage rates.
According to him, the Jim Crow era in America unfortunately falls before the Great Society and Lyndon Johnson’s time period when looking at the chronological timeline of America. However, during this time, Black Americans had a significantly higher marriage rate than any other time in American history.
He pointed out that there has been a significant decline in marriage rates within the Black community in the past. However, he also highlighted the positive trend that has emerged recently where marriage rates are once again on the rise. This is something that should be celebrated as it is beneficial for Black families and especially for the children. He expressed his desire to witness this positive trend continue and believed that everyone should share this sentiment.
During the exchange, Reid questioned Donalds about whether he believed that there was a particular time period between 1867 and 1968 that was a “golden era” for Black families or a time that was generally good for them. The conversation became tense as they discussed this topic.
Donalds took offense to Reid’s phrasing and pointed out the gaslighting at play. He clarified, “I never said that! You’re saying I said it was better back then. I never said that.”
When Reid played the tape and inquired about the role of Black fathers during that era, Donalds admitted that the Black community was subjected to severe persecution, primarily by Southern Democrats and the Democratic Party as a whole.
In her presentation, Reid delved into the harrowing details of a Black boy’s lynching in Florida in 1943, which left her father feeling helpless to intervene. She also shared an excerpt from her book about the tragic lynching of civil rights activist Medgar Evers.
She questioned the idea of quoting the era of Jim Crow when discussing the benefits of having the entire family living together in the home. According to her, during that time, men had no rights and were unable to protect their loved ones from rape or lynching. Therefore, she asks, why would one suggest that the family unit during that era was something positive to aspire to?
Donalds dismissed Reid’s allegations as “disgusting and disgraceful” and reiterated that he was only referring to marriage rates among Black people during that period.
Reid and Donalds engaged in some cross-talk before Reid repeated her question. Donalds accused Reid of “gaslighting” once again after being accused of attempting to filibuster.
During the interview, Reid posed a final inquiry to Donalds, whose spouse happens to be Caucasian. She questioned whether their union would have been possible during the era of Jim Crow laws.
He acknowledged that it was not possible, Joy, and it is a fact that we are fortunate to live in America today compared to the America of that time. However, we cannot overlook the significance of having fathers in households. This is vital for our Black community and all communities as we strive for a better America.
