Op-ed by TheWiseOldFart

I moved to Northern Nevada in 1986 from North County San Diego. I fell in love with the area during a vacation in 1985. I made a great choice. I plan to live here for the remainder of my days.

I wanted to learn more about my new home, so I began to read the history of Reno, Nevada.

THE BEGINNING OF LEGALIZED GAMBLING

Originally called “Lake’s Crossing,” the city’s name was changed to Reno in 1868. However, the most important change in the history of Northern Nevada and the Silver State overall was the legalization of gambling in 1931. Among the earliest casinos were the Owl Club, the Bank Club, the Rex Club, and the Waldorf Club. Douglas Alley, located between Commercial Row and Second Street, became an early center for gambling establishments in the city. Bill Harrah and the Smith family who founded Harold’s Club offered a form of respectability to the new industry.

ALTHOUGH THEY WERE EAGER TO TAKE YOUR MONEY, MEN AND WOMEN OF COLOR WERE UNWELCOME

Until the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, men and women of color were not allowed in the most popular casinos. However, on the east side of downtown, lesser funded establishments were built along Lake Street, Commercial Row, and East Douglas Alley. They had names like Club Harlem, the Cosmo Club, and the New China Club.

The Reno area was extremely racist and earned the nickname “Mississippi of the West.”

THE RISE OF EXTREME RACISM RENEWED IN 2016

The existence of the Electoral College, removing the right of the people to choose their president, created “red states,” “blue states,” and “purple, or swing states.” Nevada is considered a swing state. This fact is confirmed by my state’s voting record between 2000 and 2024.

In 2000 and 2004, Nevada’s electoral votes went to George W. Bush. In 2008 and 2012, Barack Obama was the victor. In 2016, Hillary Clinton was chosen by Nevada’s voters. Joe Biden was the overwhelming choice in 2020, and in another controversial election, Donald Trump received Nevada’s votes in 2024.

In the part of Nevada in which I live, Trump grew in popularity from 2016 through 2024. It was clear that most residents of Northern Nevada supported the true message printed on Trump’s red, baseball caps: “Make America White Again.” However, the southern cities are much larger, and they decide the outcome of all elections.

I NEVER WANTED TO LIVE IN THE DEEP SOUTH OR ANY “RED” STATE, BUT HERE I AM

It saddens me to know that I live in a very racist part of America.

 The first year I was eligible to vote was in 1967. When I did vote for the first time in 1968, I knew two things: I would always be an Independent and a Liberal.

I was excited by the fact that although I could not vote for JFK in 1960, my first vote would be for his brother, Bobby. Fate destroyed my dream.

In the summer of 1968, Bobby Kennedy was assassinated. Another of my heroes was murdered. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated on April 4, 1968, in Memphis, Tennessee. Robert F. Kennedy was shot on June 5, 1968, in Los Angeles, California, shortly after winning the California presidential primary, and died the following day.

I was distraught. My excitement about the 1968 election was replaced by despair.

I was lost. My first opportunity to exercise my First Amendment right became a situation which included confusion and a decision I had never considered.

WITH RIGHTS GUARANTEED BY THE CONSTITUTION, THE PEOPLE MUST BE WILLING TO FIGHT AND PROTECT THOSE RIGHTS

Who I voted for is not important. What was consequential then and now is that our hopes and dreams are easily altered and even destroyed. This is America. We, the people, must be informed and ready to consider alternatives with every passing day. It is our responsibility to choose the men and women who will serve the majority of our nation’s people and preserve democracy. We need leaders, not followers and pretenders.

THE BEST LOST TO THE WORST

I leave you with the truth. In both 2016 and 2024, the Democratic Party offered America two of the best candidates in modern history. Although the fact that they were both women is historical and significant, any male whose position on the issues was as clear and supportive of the needs and wishes of the many would have been equally praised and worthy of my vote.

Hillary Clinton was the most qualified presidential candidate in history: Trump was and is the least qualified and continues to demonstrate that fact today.

In 2024, President Biden’s long indecision about whether he would run or not, placed Kamala Harris in a huge disadvantage. However, she attracted huge crowds and her position on the issues most important to the majority was perfectly on point.

There is an abundance of evidence combined with common sense to suggest that both elections were rigged by Vladimir Putin. We know that the Russian president was successful in obtaining a victory for his puppet in 2016. In 2024, the results posted after the November 5^th election are impossible to accept when compared to those in 2020.

In 21^st century America, no one in a position of power or in possession of outrageous wealth can be trusted. The truth is rare and never originates from the right side of the aisle.

Op-ed by James Turnage

Follow my blog and be informed

Sources: renohistorical.org, “Historic Gambling Clubs and Casinos”

ropercenter.cornell, “Assassination Nation: Public Responses to King and Kennedy in 1968”