But they weren't helpful during the civil rights era, unless you count Sheets Byrd's filibuster as being helpful. It is a commonly held myth among democrats that they and not Republicans were the heros of the Civil Rights era, when, in fact, it was the Democrats who were trying desperately to keep the blacks out of the schools. Remember Ala Governor. When I point this out to Dems today, they say that these Dixiecrats changed party affiliation. But I was there and I remember, what happened by and large was the Dixiecrats stayed with the Democrat party but changed their outward appearance on civil rights. I personally believe they are the same on the inside.
"what happened by and large was the Dixiecrats stayed with the Democrat party but changed their outward appearance on civil rights"
NC is still largely a one-party political machine, run by closet Dixiecrats, at the state level. Has been since Reconstruction, at least. And they call themselves "progressives," LOL.