I do not believe you are a racist
and I agree with you
when you commit yourself
to the importance
of finding common ground.
But I also believe – and it is personal
and it was actually very ...
It was hurtful to hear you talk about
the reputations of two
United States senators who built
their reputations and career
on segregation of race
in this country.
And it was not only that but you also
worked with them to oppose bussing.
– Look, everything I've done in
my career ... I ran because of civil rights.
I continue to think we have to make
fundamental changes in civil rights
and those civil rights, by the way,
include not just African Americans
but the LGBT community.
[Applause]
– But vice president Biden,
do you agree today ...
Do you agree today that you
were wrong to oppose
bussing in America then?
Do you agree?
– I did not oppose bussing
in America.
What I opposed is bussing
ordered by the Department of Education.
That's what I opposed.
I did not oppose ...
– Well, there was a failure of states
to integrate public schools in America.
I was part of the second class
to integrate, Berkeley, California,
public schools almost two decades
after Brown v Board of Education.
– Because your city council made
that decision. It was a local decision.
– So that's where the federal
government must step in.
That's why we had the voting rights act
and the civil rights act.
That's why we need to pass
the equality act.
That's why we need to pass the ERA
because there are moments in history
where states fail to preserve
the civil rights of all people.
