Indiana Lt. Gov. rips Democrat ‘revisionist history’ on Three-Fifths Compromise

Indiana Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith recently spoke out against state Senate Democrats who likened a GOP legislative proposal aimed at addressing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in higher education to the Three-Fifths Compromise. Beckwith, a Republican, vehemently disagreed with this comparison, arguing that the Three-Fifths Compromise was not a pro-discrimination agreement but rather a step towards ensuring equality for all individuals.

In a video shared online, Beckwith emphasized the importance of understanding historical context and urged individuals to educate themselves on the true meaning of the Three-Fifths Compromise. He explained that the compromise was a result of negotiations between the North and South during the 1787 Constitutional Convention. At that time, the North opposed counting slaves as full persons for the purposes of representation in Congress, while the South sought to maximize its political power by including slaves in the population count.

The Three-Fifths Compromise ultimately determined that slaves would be counted as three-fifths of a person for representation and taxation purposes. Beckwith highlighted that this compromise actually worked to limit the influence of slave-holding states in Congress, reducing the number of pro-slavery representatives by 40%. He emphasized that the compromise was a strategic move by the North to ultimately abolish slavery in the United States.

Beckwith criticized the current trend of DEI revisionist history, which he believes distorts the true intentions of historical events like the Three-Fifths Compromise. He argued that the compromise was a critical step towards achieving equality for all individuals and laying the groundwork for a more just society.

The GOP-sponsored bill, Senate Bill 289, which recently passed both chambers of the state legislature, aims to restrict DEI programs in various educational and governmental institutions. The bill prohibits institutions from promoting the idea that one race, sex, ethnicity, religion, or national origin is inherently superior to another and requires transparency in DEI-related trainings.

Critics of the bill have raised concerns about its impact on addressing systemic discrimination and inequality, pointing to historical injustices like the Three-Fifths Compromise, Jim Crow laws, and redlining. However, Beckwith maintains that the bill is a necessary step towards ensuring fairness and meritocracy in education and government.

As the bill awaits Governor Mike Braun’s signature, Beckwith continues to advocate for a more nuanced understanding of historical events like the Three-Fifths Compromise. He asserts that by acknowledging the complexities of history and the progress made towards equality, we can create a more inclusive and just society for all.