History on Repeat
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Beware, history has a way of repeating itself, when we don't pay attention. This week, I want to call your attention to a news story that reminded me of something that happened in 1872. A recent sheriff race in Shreveport, Louisiana is proof of recuring history when we compare it to what happened to Pinckney Benton Stewart Pinchback. Pinchback, the son of a White plantation owner and an enslaved woman, fought in the American Civil War and ran for public office during the Reconstruction era was denied the office he won, similar to what's happening in Louisiana today.
In a recent Louisiana sheriff's election, Democrat Henry Whitehorn, a Black man, narrowly defeated Republican John Nickelson, a White man, by just one vote. The election results were challenged and the votes were recounted and Whitehorn still won 21,621 votes to Nickelson's 21,620. Subsequently, John Nickelson filed a lawsuit challenging the validity of the election results and called for the election to be awarded to him or held again. During the legal proceedings that followed, a retired judge named Joe Bleich, who was specially appointed to review the case determined that at least 11 votes had been illegally cast and counted. Then he ruled and ordered a rerun election, with the earliest possible date for the new contest being March 23, 2023.
Henry Whitehorn is appealing Judge Bleich's ruling, expressing his belief that the person with the most votes should win, regardless of the margin. He contends that his opponent questioned the election's integrity only after losing twice, and argues against the idea of a redo simply because his opponent is dissatisfied with the results.
Back to the historical implications. Pinckney Benton Stewart Pinchback may not be as widely recognized as some of the more celebrated historical figures, but his story reminds me of this case. Pinchback, who was also instrumental in the founding of Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, also fought and led forces for the Union Army during the Civil War. He was truly dedicated to the ideals or freedom and equality, so after the war he got into politics and later moved to Louisiana. He was elected to the Louisiana State Senate in 1868 and served temporary roles as lieutenant governor and governor between 1871-1873 thus making him the first Black governor of Louisiana.
In 1872 Pinchback was elected to Congress as a Republican, but his Democratic opponent, a White man, challenged the election and won the seat. Then in 1873 Pinchback was elected to the U.S. Senate, but again the election was challenged and he was denied the seat. His opponents claimed fraud and election irregularities— does this sound familiar? Pinchback and his supporters contented that it was the color of his skin that counted against him.
Fast forward again to 2023, wherein Caddo Parish, Louisiana, a sheriff's election won by a Black man is being challenged by a White man. Right is right and wrong is wrong, so if there were true irregularities in an election this close, then there should be re-run. However, as we reflect on the similarities between Pinchback's cases and present-day electoral disputes, it becomes evident we need to not only protect our rights to vote; every vote count and we need to vote every time. Pinchback's and Whitehorn's stories both underscore the fragileness of our democratic process and our right to vote.
Sophia Brewer (M.L.I.S.) is Collection Development and Serials Librarian, Grand Rapids Community College; Co-President of the Greater Grand Rapids History Council; member of the Grand Rapids Study Club and serves on the Grand Rapids Public Library, Board of Library Commissioners (Elected 2016-2021). She is a former Head of Programs, Grand Rapids Public Library and former Branch Manager, Madison Square Branch, Grand Rapids Public Library Congresswoman
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