That Joe Biden Eulogizing Robert Byrd Meme

Making the rounds on social and right wing media sites is a picture of Joe Biden giving the eulogy for Sen. Robert Byrd with the indictment of Byrd being a former Grand Cyclops of the KKK. There is literally decades worth of history and context missing from this allegation.

When Byrd died at the age of 92 in 2010, he had been separated from the KKK and had shown repeatedly shown remorse for his involvment for nearly 60 years. He himself had acknowledged he cannot undo the harm he had done, but would gladly continue apologizing for it. Then Vice President Joe Biden paying respects to a man who had repented and regretted his "jejune and immature outlook" (Byrd, Robert C. (2005). Robert C. Byrd: Child of the Appalachian Coalfields. Morgantown: West Virginia University Press. ISBN1-933202-00-9.) for several decades is not out of place nor is it disqualifying for the Presidency.

What Byrd showed over the decades are growth, learning, and the ability to acknowledge when he was wrong. Qualities that should be celebrated instead of vilified. Let me clear - I am not in any way shape or form condoning, excusing, or giving Byrd a pass on the wrongs and harm he did while in the Klan. There can be no real way to undo that terror and harm on our Black brothers and sisters. I am stating that he and most people who are WILLING to learn are capable of learning and doing better.

The only point this meme has is to discourage Black people from voting in addition to the outright gerrymandering and voter suppression efforts across the country. Make sure you're registered to vote. Vote early if you can. But vote. We have got to get Cheetolini Bonespurs the fuck out of here in a landslide.