“Jim Crow laws stripped blacks of basic rights. Despite landmark civil rights laws, many public schools were still segregated, blacks still faced barriers to voting, and violence by white racists continued. Such open racism is mostly gone in America, but covert racism is alive and well.”

American political analyst, pundit, and operative

Bob Beckel was an American political analyst, pundit, and political operative. Born in 1948 and active in U.S. television politics for many years, he was known for his work as a Democratic commentator, especially on Fox News. From 2011 to 2015, Beckel appeared on Fox News as an analyst and commentator and was an original co-host of The Five. After a period away for back surgery, he later became a commentator for CNN and then returned to Fox News in 2017. His public profile was built around sharp political commentary and a long career in Democratic politics and media.