Can An Old Racist Reform?—–It is Complex

Sessions as Attorney General asks the question: Can an old racist reform?

Session was rejected for a federal judge position because of his history in the racist South and his perceived racial bias because of that history. It is well known that he has been re-elected because of his historically racist position. Now he is being asked to represent the Justice Department as Attorney General and equally apply the law and uphold the rule of law for all citizens of the United States. There is no evidence by his past record that he can uphold the rule of law for all citizens equally and aggressively. His reported racist positions and speech were allegedly over thirty years ago.  We have no recent evidence of any change based on his conduct. He has learned to shut his mouth and not verbalize his true feelings or he knows to whom he can express his true feelings or views. He came out in support of Donald Trump very early when Trump was verbalizing racism, bigotry and discrimination based on religion evidenced by his public statements. This does not indicate a change in his views or behavior.  He is just learning to do what racists of the South have learned to do: Keep your views, discriminate and do not talk about what you plan to do. Let’s be clear. People can change. Session just shows no real evidence of change. There is no real evidence that Sessions has changed by his words or action. Nothing he has done or said indicates change.

What complicates matters is that racism in Southerner’s is complex. Some southerners are still fighting the civil war. They hold tight to the old hatreds and anger. There are some southerners who have truly changed. All people who discriminate are not racist. All racist do not discriminate. Critics refer to Sessions and his racist attitude. It is this attitude and his past history which leads one to predict that he will not zealously uphold the rule of law or protect the rights of all citizens equally. His behavior and conduct lead one to believe that he does not fundamentally believe in civil rights and equal right. This would effect his protection of voting rights for all and everything else necessary to perform the job of Attorney General of the United States. A leopard does not change his spots. Nothing about Sessions and his behavior indicate that he has changed. He may have learned the lesson of southern whites. He is not vocal about his true feelings. He is fundamentally the same racist man he was before. Racists can reform. Based on his speech and conduct, this racist southerner has not reformed. He should not be confirmed as Attorney General of the United States.