There was nothing good about slavery

A rather ironic debate upon the history of slavery has obsessed a group of Louisiana Republicans. In recent days, some party members have attempted to debate the “positive side” of human bondage, arguing that critics lack historical expertise. Yet their apparent historiographical defensive of involuntary servitude seems to forget the fundamental reason why the GOP was founded – to end “slavery in the Territories… prohibiting its existence or extension”, as the party’s 1856 platform once read. Both John C. Fremont and Abraham Lincoln would express horror at the idea of Republican apologists for Slaveholders.

The controversy commenced last month when Rep. Ray Garofalo (R-St Bernard), the head of the state’s education committee, made controversial remarks during a debate on House Bill 564–a measure meant to ban “Critical Race Theory” from the syllabuses of public schools in Louisiana.

As Garafolo opined in committee hearings, “If you’re having a discussion on whatever the case may be, on slavery, then you can talk about everything dealing with slavery…The good, the bad, the ugly, the whole.”

Horrified, one his own conservative GOP colleagues Rep. Stephanie Hilferty of New Orleans interjected, “There’s no good to slavery though.”

The room erupted into laughter, and Garofalo recognizing his humiliating mistake, attempted to backtrack. Showing that some integrity existed in Republican ranks, Hilferty continued to demolish the premise of his arguments, noting the impossibility of mandating that public school teachers could never suggest that “United States of America or the state of Louisiana is fundamentally, institutionally, or systemically racist or sexist.”

However, other Republicans were furious at Hilferty. Martha Huckabay, the president of the Women’s Republican Club of New Orleans, argued, “What is Stephanie Hilferty doing here? Why is she trying to trap a Republican and twist his words?” Huckabay wrote on Facebook, “How does she 100% know there is ‘no good to slavery’ if none of us were around during slavery?”

Curious choice of words for a conservative Republican, Madame President, ignoring the number of misspellings. And a curious interpretation of history, by a professed member of the GOP, who seemingly knows none of the history of her party.

Republicans are not supposed to be Dixiecrats (however, often they are). They are supposed to be abolitionists! They are mandated by their party’s founders to stand against slavery in all of its forms. The GOP rejected “the good master” premise to such a degree that its members unceasingly supported a war where 620,000 people died to abolish that “peculiar institution”.

Garafolo tried to apologize, at least, but as Black Caucus Chair Ted James of Baton Rouge noted, “An apology is not enough. The defense of systemic racism throughout our country is unarguably an issue, and the language of this proposal alone is enough to offend those of us working toward change.” The Legislative Black Caucus has called for the St. Bernard Rep. to be stripped of his Chairmanship.

Chastened, Garafolo pulled House Bill 564 from the docket, yet Republicans still continue to criticize Hilferty for pointing out the elephant in the room.

Pachyderms should learn some history before they try to teach it.

This article originally published in the May 10, 2021 print edition of The Louisiana Weekly newspaper.