Lingering Racism in the U.S.

"We hold these truths to be self-evident: That all men are created equal". This was stated by white, middle or upper class men in 1776. But, they did not really mean it, good as the phrase still sounds today. Slaves were property, not humans. And even those African Americans who had won or earned their freedom were not considered 199% citizens, but given a certain fractional worth- 3/5 of a citizen. Women, regardless of race or ethnicity, were not allowed to vote until the 1920s. Is it any wonder that, through the years, black voices have been raised in anger, frustration, militancy as well as sorrow about the fact that only one thing: the color of their skin- exempted them from enjoying life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness to the fullest extent. While it is admirable that there are now college-level courses in African American history, the fact that they are necessary- that it takes a delving into the past to establish a sense of belonging and pride in overcome slavery and condescension and bigotry, is sometimes difficult to accept. Even as Thomas Jefferson wrote about his hope that slavery would be abolished and slaves emancipated, he put a caveat into his words- that this must be done "with the consent of the masters". The Constitution phrases this idea a little better: with the consent of the governed. But then, even in 1787, the governed that counted were white males. Yes, there is a rise of African American desires to be in the American mainstream. They were (and to some degree still are) frustrated and opposed by the more radical element which prefers a separateness.