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March 11, 2005
Moynihan
Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan was always one of my favorite Democrats. Partly because of stuff he did like the Moynihan report, “The so-called Moynihan Report, written 40 years ago this month, was never meant for general distribution. Its language was notably impolitic—describing, among other things, families trapped in a "tangle of pathology." When the report came out, in the aftermath of a riot in Watts that left hundreds injured and 34 dead, it set off shock waves of its own. Moynihan was denounced as insensitive, perhaps even racist. Though the "pathology" concept had originated with Kenneth Clark, a distinguished black psychologist, that did not soften the critical blows. Moynihan's daughter, Maura, 6 at the time, recalls "seeing my poor father in utter despair." She thinks she remembers him crying.”
Time has mostly proved the Moynihan Report correct.
Posted by Pete at March 11, 2005 05:05 PM
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