So in the issues of chattel slavery, Jim Crow, anti-lynching laws, Voting Rights what position would a centrist have taken that wouldn't have explicitly maintained white supremacy?
Centrism doesn't mean indifference regarding any topic, nor does it mean "meet in the middle" on any topic.
- Indifference - Do care, yet reject both extremer view points on left and right - Studied topic deeply and actually concluded middle ground is the best fit - Sees status quo as valid
It could mean any of these things. Therefore, it's inaccurate to conclude anything on centrists as if they are a well defined group.
Even the term centrist itself is inaccurate, as very few people would have a fully centrist view on every single topic imaginable.
Coercing somebody with a centrist view into a hard choice under the threat that otherwise you approve the "murdering of children" or some other awful consequence, is plain idiotic. It's a polarization tactic: friend or foe.
Centrists don't pick the middle of every issue, they pick issues from both sides they agree with.
For example, a centrist may be FOR universal healthcare and AGAINST gun control. Or FOR lower taxes all around and FOR $15 min wage.
Taking each issue as it's own instead of aligning with one party or another on all issues is what a centrist is, to me.
Edit: I'm a self admitted centrist. Feel free to ask questions on my views if you'd like more info.