Thread: The Day We Fight Back Against Mass Surveillance

Originally Posted by Universal Mind

Malcolm X did recant on his racist ideology near the end of his life, but he is famous for what he did when he was a racist. He did some good things, but I still can't think too highly of who he was when he did. I don't think there is ever a good excuse for hating an entire race.

Conversely, I would suggest that having the rationality and the bravery to recognise your moral code was deeply flawed, and then changing it, is the epitome of goodness.

Everybody makes mistakes. What's important is that you rectify them. What would you suggest instead? Blindly sticking to your guns?

Originally Posted by Xei

Conversely, I would suggest that having the rationality and the bravery to recognise your moral code was deeply flawed, and then changing it, is the epitome of goodness.

Everybody makes mistakes. What's important is that you rectify them. What would you suggest instead? Blindly sticking to your guns?

Did I say that I think recanting was a bad thing?

George Wallace was the white racist governor of Alabama for four terms. Have you seen Forrest Gump? Do you remember the Alabama governor who tried to stand in the way of the first black student going to the University of Alabama? That governor was George Wallace. He opposed the civil rights movement at every turn. However, he ended up changing his tune.

George Wallace - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

"In the late 1970s, Wallace announced that he was a born-again Christian and apologized to black civil rights leaders for his past actions as a segregationist. He said that while he had once sought power and glory, he realized he needed to seek love and forgiveness. In 1979, Wallace said of his stand in the schoolhouse door: "I was wrong. Those days are over, and they ought to be over."

Forgiving him is one thing, and praising him is another. Do you think George Wallace should be remembered as a hero? He ended up doing the right thing, but he is famous for being a racist.