Was a great American

My former professor, Randall B. Woods, now a Distinguished Professor of History at the U of A, discussed the current movement to remove J. William Fulbright’s statue in front of Old Main and his name from the Fulbright College.

He’s a target because of his consistent voting record against civil rights in Congress, including the 1957 Civil Rights Act; 1964 Equal Accommodations Act; 1965 Voting Rights Act and 1968 Fair Housing Act. He signed the Southern Manifesto (1956) and voted against renewal of the Fair Employment Practices Commission (1946).

It’s hard to imagine a senator who developed international acclaim for his Fulbright scholarship program, actively supported the United Nations and played a central role in bringing the Vietnam conflict to an end could be the same person.

In politics an office holder is generally known for that which he, or she, will fall on their sword, or the crusades they lead. Fulbright crusaded for his positions on foreign policy, not against civil rights. He simply voted “no” like his Southern colleagues.

Few believe that he was a racist, but just as few believe he could have withstood a re-election challenge by a George Wallace sympathizer had he supported civil rights legislation.

Further, at the time, Fulbright had the luxury of knowing that his vote was not needed. All four pieces of landmark legislation mentioned by Woods received at least 71 “yes” votes in the Senate.

While we may not be proud of his record on civil rights, that record did nothing to change the course of history related to civil rights. Conversely, it did everything to keep him in a position to do great things for his country and the world.

Fulbright was a great American and should continue to be recognized as a great American on campus. TOMMY FOLTZ

Little Rock