US Rep. James E. Clyburn recently participated in a conversation and book signing event at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Washington, DC. The event was hosted by the leadership of Alpha Omega and Kappa Psi Chapters of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
Historical Insights
Congressman Clyburn shared with the audience the gripping political history of the Reconstruction era and the many electoral battles still existing today. This discussion was extremely timely as Congressman Clyburn recently defended an effort by the South Carolina GOP to break up his congressional district.
The discussion provided insight on how the history of civil rights in the post-Civil War South gave way to the narrative of hope and resilience. From Joseph Rainey, the first Black elected official to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives to George Henry White, elected to the House in 1897 who served until 1901, Clyburn explained their journey and laid out the historical milestones and historical comparisons and contrasts, and why he is only the ninth Black elected to Congress from the state of South Carolina, in more than a century.
Original reporting: The Washington Informer — read the source article.
