Why do modern-day Virginians demonize Plecker? He was merely in the camp of
racists who thought the line between white and black should be drawn to
eliminate any light-skinned people from the white race. Others just as
racist as Plecker thought it more convenient to draw the line to include
anyone who was not obviously of African descent at first sight. It was just
a matter of a difference of opinion between racists as to the best way to
enforce Jim Crow.
Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that many of the families
Plecker called "Negro" have white descendants today.
Paul