Cable. We wanted to present today a dear friend and one of the great leaders and majority of the third ranking democrat of the United States house of representatives has been in congress to three and have a phenomenal achievement and racial process and hes one of the leaders of the congress. 9 years ago i work to develop the idea of the International Museum and it was busy as anyone inned congress. If you went to his office in in capitol hill it would station coming and going and everybody time congressman, and consultation with him and ask the congressman if he would consider being treated of the board of International Africanamerican to readjust, and he was so busy i was tommed timid to ask and asked emily. Emily was the dear wife who he lost few years ago, and respect for his wife because in washington in South Carolina as a current. And called me back he said joe, i said yes and i will. Joe never missed of the board of International African those [inaudible conversations] but he was prepared. He was to the board members. He taught history and he taught differential and to the museum under construction there and less than two years from now with what happened and he realized he could get money to help those stories with the conflict of interest to step aside and continue to advise us, advise us and support us. And 1870 and congressman, one thing that i always thought is congressman ran for South Carolina house of representatives in 1970. Africanamericans elected to house of representatives since that destruction. Congressman knowing that he would be breaking that barrier and representing house of representatives and boards were counted later in ballot box came in there and from wherever and next morning found that general had not been elected. And congressman more grace and accepting way you sir, handled that great disappointment you were so fervent in design it was you elected something that i never forget. Something about that congressman or anything you would like to share. Thank you very much. And i think ive done that as well. But thank you so much for telling us a head start let me see you were running for reelection. And of course, designated to a chair of the delegation. Another africanamerican you felt you would be reelected. And that he could be reelected and never forget that you gave up divided up, you decided and many times. And you knew at the time you would lead the ticket and you thought it was more beneficial to the state and to get elected. I have never forgotten that part of being able to accept that very disappointed was the way you were able to sacrifice so thank you so much for that relationship. We ask that i join this effort of joining this subcommittee my wife of 58 years. Because i didnt want to take on another responsibility and taken on too much. And so made that decision and im going to thank you for her relationship that you had as well she admired and respected you a great deal. And i really, really hope that what we have Work Together will be a memory throughout. So thank you so much for having me here. Rng thank you. And i loved emily too she was most wonderful person and shes one of the people that if you you were in her company you felt better her goodness and company was just inspirational congressman city way back then in the 60s my guess. What did they what did they teach . What did you have if you hear to teach you about africanAmerican History . Not much. It was to teach gender in 1962 and teaching history and what i did was i was teaching i taught them in the newspaper rather than textbook most thought i was going to get fired. [inaudible conversations] it felt appropriate at the time but people out of the classroom because i felt that this day to be a part as a person and to bring history, just think for example, im a teacher at the time. That we have this place. Where can i students lets talk about with all of administrators and [inaudible conversations] and so idea was pick up the newspaper. Lets go chapter 22. The chapter on children and lets talk about the background for that. Lets now talk. It was a success that many of us to this day. So you know thats kind of thing i didnt get. When i did i was a student you know for ten question ten when did this happen and in america. What i i hated that. So when i started teaching my first classroom i tell my students people number one number two indeed, math those years i want you to remember. [laughter] [inaudible conversations] so that to me would be two days to remember. Other than that we talk about issues and how those issues related to them in everyday lives. Qong congressman you have great leadershipn to those young people and i remember ambassador of the United States one of your students couple of others that the leader of the state, leaders in pointed back to a class the impact it had on those kids was absolutely remarkable. My question ambassador and i immediate at the time buty i came back and i will nevr forget he pointed over to me. I noticed when i got there there was took me and he pointed to me he said to the whole crowd. That i wish you could be in one of his classes. Because he looked to me for americas heros and that meant everything to me. And as i was walking out to my right andd i knew he was there. In the service, and he told me later that he would never had missed that. Because he was in the group. Could be of their lives and east side so that is to me the background to great vision that he had in the africanamerican museum. Not at the museum but africanamerican museum but talks about how that hits International Scope of things. The kind of thing i would leak to teach and by the way now retired. To talk about and thats not what were here to talk about today. Y. Well congressman lost the election in 1970. When elected governor of socal john west his character and the way that he with grace handled that defeat and pointed to congressman to be the first director of the South Carolina commission and then the congresswoman foreign governor west had amaze ties and connecting interest and lobby interest together and South Carolina moving forward is together. Can you say that congressman . Absolutely. Absolutely. Thats what happened in the election and at least i didnt get enough votes, and looks like i didnt get enough votes and that i talk to the [inaudible conversations] of South Carolina i wasne going out at that time. An he immediately called and i spoke and he said he would call, and i called him. And he asked me monday i did. Het welcomed me a position on hs step and at the time i remember. But i was like no im a little bit [inaudible conversations] he saidni to me if i had your talent i would be a little more than you are so thats when started that relationship. And from columbia [inaudible conversations] and when she called me and she said john would be so proud of this. I want you to have his he gave me as governor right now in the office and that would be somewhat say you never say everything thats on your mind and i wasnt going to say what was on my mind on that morning after that 1970 election. But it should be kept there and e talk about results in the elections. Just a headliner i dont think i got that call until i was certain as number three of the democrats. I agree with that. Because thats such important life lessons and you accept disappointments with grace and deal with the future and thats one of the great lessons that joe has not only legislative leadership but as a human being as someone you can s trust and inspire. And one of the modes of congress right now both sides of the aisle. Because of his character and intellect and determination its really amazing. Congressman, say that recent unfortunate efforts or people to vote just more cumbersome than it needs to be that that is a bit reminiscent of what happened after that and the different form in a way. But it seems to me that its very fortunate that living in our country theres any to be it should be easier and less cumbersome for american citizens rather than for obstacles. And what are your thoughts about that congressman . I write about that. I wrote and believe that in this country that we have. I have said over and over again in this very country would not have to be again. Look, our talents accept acceptable and affordable for all of the citizens and greatness it is unfettered. And we have grown in our pursuit of a more Perfect Union by opening up. Thats what the right act was all about. Thats what the map defines act was all about. The pursuit by making the franchise, the battle more acceptable to citizens and for us to get to the point of then most important thing about democracy would be to destroy this off the pursuit and that would destroy this fragile democracy that we have. Wewe have a right on heal for a long time. People had looked at this country for example, for a long time. [inaudible conversations] that was talked about on the pursuit would take away the right to vote. As some jurisdictions tend to be pursuant. There goes to be anomaly with the states [inaudible conversations] thank you congressman and i know have questions. Carey we have questions ran yet . Yeah. Absolutely. Okay. Yeah. Open it up. Yeah. Place interest and reminder for, you know, any of the students really any of our guests if you want to listen to the chat ill do my best to relay to mr. Congressman. I wanted to maybe to take us back just for a minute. Congressman, to the 1960s and i think that the work you did around massacre and especially aroundhi charleston hospital strike and you know think about that period of a time of such great upheaval, assassination of dr. King and Bobby Kennedy and im wondering if you might draw some parallels or make some comparisonse to our contemporary politics. And you know, to what are the comparisons between today and 1968 . That is appropriate well certainly, long at the time. In the South Carolina. That is where i really was at the time. But i agree with one of the students leading that that was from north charleston. And. What was going on then, i was i very much involved with. And so he and i stayed in touch during all of that. And then i became sort of, with key people to remember that. It was leading. Some asked me too get involved with the work to negotiate him we had two things going on simultaneously. So that is why i am a little bit concerned today the communication development. And that you stop talking and i do believe we overcame back then to step up to get us back on track. So the 1970 election. Keep in mind with at least two people in the legislature. And one. From the first africanamerican. And so we both came out. So i see young people all of the time. Any experiences you have obstacle or they should very well be. With appropriately. Cooks one of our wonderful librarians has a question for you. Asks, if you might say a little bit about the political damage of the slug and defend the police did to key candidates in the recent election. And do you have any suggestions for a better framework for the urgent need for Police Reform moving forward . X yes, i t do. Ive been writing about and talking about it. They reimagined. I think if you were a lawyer i just saw a couple weeks ago lawyers in South Carolina. They were disbarred. Because they did something wrong. The things you have to take away this is not only a profession. My cousin a Police Officer in kansas. An honorable person and honorable profession. We cannot allow we dont get that bad apple out, that is what we have to do. All of the sudden you cannot be held accountable. We have to, its an honorable profession and i support that. But we should not go so far as to due to the current state of affairs like a black lives matter what happens us back in the 1950s. Demonstrated student nonviolent split. A group of people came by burn baby burn. Undermine the effort a few months before he passed away. The back of the house chamber. To allow that black lives matters with the indigenous. Students with. We follow the civil rights movement. They depend on the civil rights movement. Whats going on back in 1950s were students, student nonprofit. The naacp was in 1909. These things to try to put them into perspective. Keep it in perspective. One of them is keep listening in the proper perspective. And remember not to destroy as a profession. Good student in the present of the campus chapter of the Young Democrats was active in the Young Democrats statewide. Mitchell would like to ask you, given all the events of the Previous Year what are the prospects that america can build a Stronger Foundation in the area of social equality . Might all the time and i think about a lot these days. Where there is a will, there is a way. What you have to do it is working together. And since a lot i was born and raised. And i made on campus on a political farm. We found out very early in our marriage are background we had to make significant adjustments in order to have. Everything that we do we have different backgrounds. We have to learn from each other. We dont necessarily learn from people by shutting them up. My bringing together. Prospects are greater if we can keep people on a very personalor level. To be able to set aside whole long enough to listen if theyve got a better idea. And its i will listen to them. I will talk to them. I will ask their advice. As i have been standing here. [inaudible] is just so thrilling to say this wiseman representing us. Truth of justice, knowledge, experience, with things in the critical race cap political. Given a choice. Who has devoted his life to this cause and it is about honesty for the students here. Congress and we thank you so much for being with us. And a marvelous example for all of us. And for the citizens of our country thank you. Thank you so much for having me. Do me a big favor. That to me this is one of the most timeless documents ive ever read it. Read. Im going to call your attention to moma part of that book. That we can. In this generation. Ea not just in so we see justice. With this country. We are an example to the world and we cannot allow to destroy that mantra. Theyre likely to heal. Apparently to be here with you here today. I am not disrespecting him. [laughter] clicks thank you sir if i could just add for the students, doctor kings the last from jail to write on. He wrote that most amazing letter and the margins of the papers he was collecting. The message is so powerful. The knowledge is that ranchers to make sure its really one. I thank you for being here today. American history tv is saturdays on cspan2. Exploring the people and events that tell the american story. Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden hosts the conversation marking president trumans executive order 9981 prohibiting discrimination in the u. S. Military. Also President Biden tells a former president executive order and accomplishments for minorities and the truman civil rights symposium. At 9 30 p. M. Eastern on the presidency, historian h. W. Brandt looked at gerald ford in the context of the 1970s. He served as House Minority leader, Vice President and then president. Exploring the american story. Watch American History tv saturdays on cspan2. Find a full schedule on your program guid or watch online yte cspan. Org history. Healthy democracy does not just look like this. It looks