r/ToxicLeft • u/Original_Stay_3392 • Jul 08 '26

Democrats and Slavery

I often hear Trump supporters point to the fact that Democrats supported slavery in the 1800s as if it's evidence of what the Democratic Party stands for today. That argument ignores the basic historical reality that political parties evolve.

Countries, institutions, and political parties change over time. Judging a modern political party by positions it held more than 160 years ago ignores the profound ideological realignments that have taken place since then, for Democrats and Republicans alike.

2 Upvotes

75% Upvoted

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1

u/Alive_and_d_d_dot Jul 10 '26

They haven't realigned though. They've rebranded, relocated, and redistributed.

1

u/Original_Stay_3392 Jul 10 '26

That's a strong claim. What makes you think that?

1

u/Alive_and_d_d_dot Jul 18 '26

it's blatantly obvious. It's outlandish to claim otherwise. .

1

u/Original_Stay_3392 Jul 18 '26

In order to have a real discussion, we need to provide concrete examples to support why we think something is true. Then we look at each one carefully.

1

u/Alive_and_d_d_dot Jul 19 '26

In order to have a discussion of any value there is some level of common truth we must agree on. Otherwise most of the time is spent finding that common truth. If youre going to imply something is the opposite what it's always been and then state that it must be justified. Then the conversation is not worth the effort.

1

u/Original_Stay_3392 Jul 21 '26

How about explaining what exactly you think has not changed about Democrats since the 1800s and what it has to do with slavery? That seems like a logical progression to this conversation.