J.C. Watts, the only Black Republican
in Congress, addresses the Trent Lott situation better than anybody else:

Retiring Rep. J. C. Watts (R.-Okla.), who spoke directly with Lott about his remarks, said in
a statement that Lott was right to admit that his comments on Thurmond “went
too far.” But, Watts said, Lott “told me he would like to [...]