The Politics of Shame

Three rapists, four racists.

On May 19th, 1856, Senator Charles Sumner stood in front of the United States Senate and condemned two senators for their ownership and mistreatment of slaves. To quote the Senate website:

Sumner characterized [Stephen] Douglas to his face as a “noise-some, squat, and nameless animal . . . not a proper model for an American senator.” Andrew Butler, who was not present, received more elaborate treatment. Mocking the South…