There is some truth to this claim. In the 1960s, bulldozing slums was seen as “urban renewal,” and, if well-placed, a large, elevated interstate could serve as a barrier against rioting blacks. Oh, and who was in power when such measures were approved? Democrat Lyndon Johnson. He called his program the “Great Society.”
And, we know how much he “loved” black folks right?
Oh, and who was in power when such measures were approved? Democrat Lyndon Johnson. He called his program the “Great Society.”
Once, while on a trip with two governors, Johnson reportedly made the following comment in explaining why the civil rights bill was so important to him. He said it was simple: "I'll have them niggras voting Democratic for two hundred years."
The quote is attributed to Lyndon Johnson by Ronald Kessler in his book "Inside the White House".
Inside the White House
The quote is also mentioned on Page 6 of "Can America Survive?" by Ben Stein, Phil DeMuth.
A couple of years ago, I spent a long 6-hour flight sitting next to a civil rights attorney from CalTrans.
After we exchanged business cards, I asked him why the transportation department needed civil rights lawyers.
Turned out to be both a fascinating and a disturbing conversation