The Democratic Party has a checkered history. I am glad you brough this up. Southern Democrats, also known as Dixiecrats, rabidly opposed all Civil Rights and Voting Rights legislation. In 1948, President Harry S Truman introduced a Civil Rights Plank to his Presidential Election Platform. Southern Democrats left the Democratic Party and formed the Dixiecrat Party, running Strom Thurmond as their candidate.
George Wallace and Lester Maddox were two Southern Democrat Governors who vocally opposed efforts to desegregate schools, public transportation and other public accommodations. They also opposed any Federal Legislation to make voting fair. Senator Russell, a Southern Democrat led almost successful Filibusters against Civil Rights and Voting Rights legislation in the US Senate. The Republicans, led by Everett Dirksen broke those Filibusters and got these laws passed.
Then came Richard Nixon's "Southern Strategy." He lured almost all of the Dixiecrats into the Republican Party and allowed them to keep their racist ways. One notable exception was Senator Robert Byrd, who resisted the lure to become a Republican. His racist past was like an Albatross around his neck.
OK. I have admitted the racist past of my party. Will you acknowledge the racist present of yours?