The more things change

Well, here we go again. One of my favorite features in the AV Press is, “Today in History.” Let’s see how these events turned out or could have affected current ones.

On May 10, 1865, Confederate President Jefferson Davis was captured by Union forces.

Just think, if he were alive today, he could have led the insurrection on Jan. 6.

On May 12, 1970, the Senate voted unanimously to confirm Harry Blackman as a Supreme Court Justice. Blackman, a conservative, led the Court to adopt Roe vs. Wade.

That decision, nearly 50 years ago, is now hanging by a thread, thanks to Donald Trump.

On May 19, 1913, California governor, Hiram Johnson, signed a law prohibiting aliens who were not citizens from owning farm land, a measure targeted at the Japanese.

Just in case you were under the illusion that racism and discrimination against Asians started last year.

On May 26, 1938, the House on Un-American Activities Committee was established by Congress. This was the height of anti-democratic times…until now.

On May 29, 1973, Tom Bradley was elected the first Black mayor of Los Angeles.

This was before Republicans suppressed the Black vote and America was still a democracy.

On June 5, 1967, war erupted in the Middle East when Israel launched a series of pre-emptive airfield strikes that destroyed the entire Egyptian air force. Gee, what a surprise, the more things change, the more they stay the same.

Ralph S. Brax

Lancaster