To promote white supremacy and the Confederacy, its leaders were willing to embrace chaos, destruction, mass carnage, and demolish lands--all for what were unjust principles from the start--including the enslavement of Black people. 1/x

From that foundation was a lack of commitment to the ideals of our nation's constitution & since 1865, numerous challenges: whether constitutional principles apply to people of color, esp Black ppl: voting, education, housing, accommodations, use of books, parks, pools, etc. 2/x

Equally troubling, but more overlooked: northern compromises borne out of economic interests/desperation, sympathy with the horrid antebellum system, empathy with Confederates (northerners sent daughters to marry slaveholders--sometimes to payoff debts). 3/x

In the years since 1865, there has been unease with constitutional values being put to the test--what happens when Black people are actually able to cast their votes without threats of police violence, gerrymandering, humiliations, long lines, and more? 4/x

A government of people who truly believe in our democracy--and faithful to its constitution--would long ago have addressed the electoral college; enacted a federal holiday for voting; and regarded voting rights with greater reverence. Voter suppression is historical & present.