Why Shirley Chisholm Once Visited This Notorious Segregationist

shirley chisholm
Via Smithsonian Magazine
Tremain Prioleau II
September 17, 2024

Shirley Chisholm was the first Black woman to run for a major party’s presidential nomination. One of her opponents, Alabama Governor George Wallace, was a hard-line segregationist. The two candidates couldn’t have been more different.

On May 15, 1972, George Wallace was shot five times and left paralyzed while campaigning in Maryland. While recovering in the hospital, Wallace received an unexpected visitor and it shocked the entire nation.

Shirley Chisholm made a surprise 15-minute hospital visit to George Wallace. She brought Wallace to tears by saying, “I wouldn’t want what happened to you to happen to anyone.” Wallace knew Chisholm would face criticism just for being kind enough to visit him. Her visit moved him to tears.

Chisholm also expected her visit to have repercussions. After he ended his campaign, George Wallace encouraged his supporters to vote for Shirley Chisholm instead. Chisholm believed that Wallace’s support contributed to her poor performance in the Florida primary and to the end of her own bid for the presidency.

Shirley Chisholm was unbought and unbossed. She showed grace to George Wallace despite his segregationist views. Our liberation won’t always mean showing kindness to our enemies, but wishing harm on others doesn’t get us free.

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