Today marks the beginning of Black History Month. Since February only has 28 days and life is short, I would not recommend that you "spend 2005 learning how the Republican Party has been the dominant force in championing civil rights in America."
The House Republican Policy Committee has produced a glossy 2005 Republican Freedom Calendar “to put some of the many important Republican achievements in advancing civil rights before today’s students, families, and citizens from all walks of life who wish to be better informed about our national heritage.”
It’s true, for instance, the Civil Rights Act of 1964 would not have passed without the yeoman’s efforts of Illinois Republican Sen. Everett Dirksen. But that’s only part of the story. Democratic race-baiters who opposed civil rights switched parties and formed the vanguard of the Republican Party in the South. So if you really want to be “better informed," the rest of the story can be found here.
As for black voters giving the Republican Party another look-see because Abraham Lincoln freed the slaves, that’s so 19th century.
