By Congressman Al Lawson
As a Black man raised in the segregated south, I lived the painful reality of Jim Crow. I know what it’s like to be denied basic rights because of my skin color. I’ll never forget the hot summer day when a man threatened my life at gunpoint because I drank from a “white” water fountain. This was the America I grew up in—where prejudice and unequal opportunity were the law of the land. The Civil Rights Act, championed by leaders like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., changed all of that and opened doors for millions of Americans like me.
This transformative law created opportunities I worked hard to take advantage of. I started a successful business in Tallahassee, served my community for 28 years in the State Legislature, and represented North Florida in Congress. The Civil Rights Act gave me the chance to thrive. That’s why I cannot stay silent while prominent far-right figures disparage the Civil Rights Act and elected leaders, including Senator Rick Scott, refuse to call them out.
Charlie Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA, is one conservative voice that has crossed a dangerous line. Kirk has repeatedly called the Civil Rights Act a “huge mistake” and has led a campaign to discredit Dr. King’s legacy. Kirk has claimed there’s a “war on white people,” and welcomed white nationalist into his organization’s ranks. On his podcast, Kirk even discussed repealing the Civil Rights Act with a known white supremacist and Project 2025 contributor. Kirk’s attacks on the Civil Rights Act and Dr. King are not just provocative—they’re a deliberate attempt to divide Americans.
As a leader, I’m compelled to speak out against Kirk’s support from prominent Republicans, especially Florida’s own Senator Rick Scott. Scott and Kirk do not just run in the same circles. Scott has appeared on Kirk’s podcast more than a dozen times—the same podcast that has hosted white supremacists. Scott has also spoken at Turning Point’s conferences year after year and praised Kirk as a “true patriot.” Let me be clear: there is absolutely nothing patriotic about pitting Americans against each other and undermining the values that unite us. This isn’t the leader Senator Scott vowed to be when he ran for the Senate. He promised to represent all Floridians, including the more than 3 million Black residents of this state. Senator Scott has broken that promise every time he stands alongside someone like Charlie Kirk.
Next week, Kirk will campaign with Republican politicians in Florida, and Senator Scott faces a crucial choice. He can continue working closely with someone who promotes hateful, divisive rhetoric, or he can take a stand on the right side of history. It’s not too late for Rick Scott to do the right thing.
The Civil Rights Act didn’t just benefit Black Americans—it made our nation stronger by breaking down the barriers that divided us. It allowed people like me to pursue the American Dream, and it brought us closer to the ideal of equality for all. The Civil Rights Act and Dr. King’s legacy are pillars of our nation’s greatness. They should be celebrated, not attacked. Senator Scott must reject Charlie Kirk and the destructive agenda he represents.
