Hall of Famer Hank Aaron told USA Today that congressional Republicans are an updated version of the KKK.
Speaking on the anniversary of his record breaking home run, Aaron told the paper the country still had far to go in improving race relations.
“Sure, this country has a black president,” Aaron said. “But when you look at a black president, President Obama is left with his foot stuck in the mud from all of the Republicans with the way he’s treated…The bigger difference is that back then they had hoods. Now they have neckties and starched shirts.”
“We are not that far removed from when I was chasing the record,” Aaron added, noting that the percentage of African American ballplayers had gone down since he played. “If you think that, you are fooling yourself. A lot of things have happened in this country, but we have so far to go. There’s not a whole lot that has changed.”
[h/t USA Today]
[Image via Mark Blinch / Reuters]