One of the greatest mistakes America ever made was failing to utterly crush the South after the Civil War -- dismantle its power structures, imprison its leaders, expressly disavow its values & traditions, & put it under the equivalent of receivership for several decades.

"Looking forward not backward" after white reactionaries fuck everything up has been a pattern from the beginning, going right up to [checks watch] now. I'd really like to break that habit.

By the way, if you'd like to learn more about a pivotal episode in America's failure on Reconstruction, check out this thread from @chrislhayes and the book linked at the end. https://twitter.com/chrislhayes/status/1130946419257421830

He also interviewed the book's author, historian Brenda Wineapple, on his podcast -- one of the most fascinating & eye-opening hours you will ever spend. https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/msnbc/why-is-this-happening/e/61984376

Whole lotta people in this thread vigorously refuting things that no one said. Even more than usual, I mean. Here's something smarter to read on the subject, from @adamgopnik: https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2019/04/08/how-the-south-won-the-civil-war

For the longer version, check out this excellent book by @HC_Richardson: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B084T78RLD/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1