Recently, I have been listening to Doris Kearns Goodwin’s engaging memoir, “An Unfinished Love Story,” which chronicles her husband Dick Goodwin’s experiences as advisor and speech writer to both John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson.

Especially dramatic was the recounting of the events of March 7, 1965, where unarmed civil rights protesters walked across the Edmund Pettis Bridge from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama. The purpose of the march was to demand passage of the Civil Rights Act, which was designed to put an end to restrictions on voting for Black citizens. 

The unarmed and passive marchers were met by policemen who beat, whipped and fire-hosed them. Police dogs attacked them. Then the mounted police followed, trampling and injuring many. The assembled spectators cheered. I was in high school at the time of this event, and I do remember being horrified by the brutality at the event, although I didn’t know about the cheering of the crowd. 

A couple of weeks ago, the Supreme Court gutted the Voting Rights Act. Immediately, the Tennessee Legislature jumped into action, voting to reorganize the voting districts in order to disenfranchise Black voters. As the measure passed, there were cheers. The assonance with Bloody Sunday was chilling. 

How can we say that we have moved away from our racist past?

Susan Trask
Auburn