“Sadly, a great many American conservatives opposed the civil rights revolution of the 50s/60s.”
For many, it came down to not wanting to lose “freedom of association”. The CRA stripped that away from America, and it was wrong because of it.
I don’t disagree. However, conservatives should have been leading the fight for civil rights, not fighting a rear-guard action against them. Had they done so, it is at least possible freedom of association could have been somewhat better protected.