In the late 1960s, an aid to President Nixon suggested that “the issue

In the late 1960s, an aid to President Nixon suggested that “the issue of race could benefit from a period of benign neglect.” What did he mean? Do you think he was right? Why?

What will be an ideal response?

ANSWER
The comment was intended to convey the sentiment that the civil rights movement had forced change to occur, but that people needed time to adjust and the successes that had been achieved needed to be consolidated. Alternatively, the comment meant that African Americans were making too many demands and that law and order and social stability were preferable to social change and the full equality goals of the civil rights movement.