Ro Khanna on South Carolina’s Civil War and Slavery History

Representatives Jim Clyburn of South Carolina and Ro Khanna of California convened at Stanford Law School on February 18, 2026, to discuss the historical trajectory of Black political representation in the United States and the risks of democratic backsliding.

The dialogue focused on the themes presented in Clyburn’s new book, The First Eight, which examines the lives and legacies of the first Black politicians elected to Congress from South Carolina.

The event was attended by more than 100 students, faculty and community members, who listened as the two legislators integrated personal narratives with historical analysis to provide warnings about the current state of American democracy.

The History of Black Representation in South Carolina

A central component of the discussion was the chronicle of early Black legislators in South Carolina. Clyburn’s book, The First Eight, serves as the primary framework for exploring how these early figures navigated the political landscape to achieve representation in Congress.

During the talk, the participants explored the intersection of personal history and systemic political shifts. They used the historical lens of Black representation to address contemporary concerns regarding the stability of democratic institutions.

Profiles in Political Leadership

The event highlighted the distinct paths both representatives took toward their current roles in Congress. Representative Jim Clyburn, who represents South Carolina’s 6th district, previously served as the House Majority Whip.

Clyburn’s political career was preceded by his involvement in the Civil Rights Movement. During his time as a student activist, he was imprisoned for his demonstrations.

a figure of American history

Ro Khanna

Representative Khanna, who represents California’s 17th district, described Clyburn as a figure of American history and noted that Clyburn is one of only a few civil rights leaders to successfully transition into high political office in the United States.

Khanna also shares a connection to the host institution, having previously taught economics at Stanford.

Institutional Collaboration and Event Organization

The event was the result of a collaboration between several academic and advocacy entities at Stanford. Hoang Pham, the Director of Education and Opportunity at the Stanford Center for Racial Justice, stated that Representative Khanna had contacted Dr. Lerone A. Martin, the center’s director, to arrange the hosting of the event.

The discussion was co-hosted by the following organizations:

• The Stanford Center for Racial Justice
• Stanford Votes
• The Department of African and African American Studies