( CNN ) -- Death has a way of sanitizing the most virulent and despicable aspects of prominent lives , especially those who trafficked in racial bigotry . Roland S. Martin says former Sen. Jesse Helms was an unapologetic conservative but also unabashedly racist . In the last several years , notorious racists such as former Georgia Gov . Lester Maddox and Sen. Strom Thurmond of South Carolina left this Earth , and in efforts to show the humanity of both , tributes poured in , speaking to their Christian faith and unyielding conservative values . Vice President Dick Cheney spoke warmly of Thurmond at his 2003 funeral , citing his run for president in 1948 . But Cheney failed to mention that he ran as an ardent segregationist . I recall former Sen. Zell Miller holding up a Bible belonging to Maddox as he told the world about Maddox 's wonderful faith , never citing how he used that same Bible to deny African-Americans basic rights . Oh , such good Christian men Maddox and Thurmond were . Now they are joined in the conservative wing of heaven by former Sen. Jesse Helms of North Carolina , who died July 4 . I 'm sure a freedom-loving man such as Helms would n't have it any other way : meeting his maker on the same day the United States celebrates its independence . The tributes were endless and laudatory , hailing him for being a `` conservative champion , '' according to a piece in USA Today . Some mentioned his opposition to various issues of race , including the 1964 Civil Rights Act . Even the Rev . Billy Graham , often called `` America 's pastor , '' honored Helms in a 174-word statement , ending it by saying that folks `` honor his legendary life and extraordinary legacy . '' But to recognize Helms properly in his totality , it 's important to add to the list of words and phrases to describe the unapologetic conservative Republican : unabashedly racist . It 's easy in this age to say that Helms , who carried his dislike of African- Americans like a badge of honor for 30 years around the U.S. Senate , was a son of the South who was simply honoring good , old-fashioned Southern values . But when you stand in opposition to a bill that would , for the first time , give African-Americans from border to border the constitutionally guaranteed right to cast a vote , then I refuse to call you a stand-up person for the rights of every man , woman and child . And do n't try to suggest that because Helms hired several African-Americans in his office that he was still a good and decent guy who was misunderstood . No , he was very clear in how he looked at issues , and if you had the wrong skin color , sorry , but you did n't fully count as an American . As the tributes came in , I wonder if anyone had the audacity to ask former Sen. Carol Moseley Braun what she thought of Helms . Once when she was on the elevator and he saw her , Helms started to sing `` Dixie , '' a call-to-arms song for lovers of the Old South , and clearly an offensive song to anyone black . He later said he did it hoping it would make her cry . The two also did n't see eye to eye on the Confederate flag . She was an ardent opponent ; he a devout proponent . It was no surprise that when she was appointed to be a U.S. ambassador by President Clinton , who was her chief blocker ? Good ol ' Jesse . Look at the effort to integrate the 4th U.S . Circuit Court of Appeals by Clinton . Helms was steadfast in his effort to block an African-American 's appointment to the seat . He and others claimed it was because the court did n't need an additional judge and spending the money was wasteful . But it was evident that Helms did n't want an African-American sitting on what some called the most conservative federal appeals court in the nation . And no one can forget the overt racism he displayed when running for re-election for the U.S. Senate against former Charlotte Mayor Harvey Gantt in 1990 and 1996 . Realizing he could lose in 1990 , Helms agreed to an ad by Republican strategist Alex Castellanos that showed a white hand destroying a job application with an announcer saying that person needed the job but it was given to a minority . It worked with the bigots in North Carolina . That ad put Helms over the top and kept his Senate seat safe . Did Jesse Helms have his convictions ? Sure . But an ideological conviction displayed in the political arena does n't mean we are to overlook a history of denying Americans their rights based on race . Give Helms credit for ushering in a new brand of conservatism in the country . But do n't let that cover up his racism . Roland S. Martin is an award-winning journalist and CNN contributor . He is the author of `` Listening to the Spirit Within : 50 Perspectives on Faith . '' Please visit his Web site at http : //www.rolandsmartin.com/ . The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the writer .
Roland S. Martin : Tributes to Jesse Jackson as a conservative champion . Martin : Helms once purposely ' ` ` Dixie '' in elevator with black senator . Give Helms credit where it 's due but do n't give up his support , columnist says .