This opinion is in reply to all the people who have said John Ashcroft is racist and prejudiced.

Here are some facts about Sen. Ashcroft’s record. He appointed the first black judge to the Court of Appeals in Kansas City, Mo. Ashcroft has supported 26 of 28 nominations of African American judges that came up for a vote during his tenure in the U.S. Senate.

He opposed the nomination of Missouri Supreme Court Judge Ronnie White to the federal bench because of his record as a state judge - not because of his race. The nomination of White was also opposed by the National Sheriff’s Association and the Missouri Federation of Chiefs of Police.

As Missouri Governor, Ashcroft signed into law a state holiday honoring civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. He also worked to save Lincoln University, which was founded by African American soldiers. Finally, he fought to establish Missouri’s only historic site honoring an African American - the home of musician Scott Joplin.

It’s a sad day in American society when someone can be attacked for being morally sound and following God’s principles.

Edward Bast
supply chain
management senior