Let America be America again. Let it be the dream it used to be. Let it be the pioneer on the plain Seeking a home where he himself is free. (America never was America to me.) Let America be the dream the dreamers dreamed— Let it be that great strong land of love Where never kings connive nor tyrants scheme That any man be crushed by one above. (It never was America to me.) O, let my land be a land where Liberty Is crowned with no false patriotic wreath, But opportunity is real, and life is free, Equality is in the air we breathe. (There’s never been equality for me, Nor freedom in this “homeland of the free.”)

why teachers present such a one-dimensional view of Blacks during Black History Month (February)

This tendency for our minds to accept stereotypes without filtering or judging them is called implicit bias.

Rivera said Martin was partially responsible for his own death because he was wearing a hoodie. When asked to clarify, Rivera maintained this was just “common sense” for minorities in America.

Over 95% of the shooting victims are Black men, and over 50% of the men are 20-40 years old.

Cooper added that treating Ms. Cooper’ as though her reaction was an anomaly, lets white bystanders ignore their personal responsibilities to end racism:

there is a long history in this country of African-Americans and Latinos being stopped by law enforcement disproportionately. And that’s just a fact.”

Is the color line a thing of the past? Or does it only apply to Frederick Douglass, W.E.B. DuBois, and Maya Angelou?

Angelou recognized that this model of racial success had nothing to do with the reality of the present, and everything to do with the history of slavery in America

But the upbeat mood quickly dissipates as two white school officials remind the Black students to limit their goals to socially acceptable expectations:

the color line being used to predetermine student success or failure.

All because their Black African identity was judged inferior to the white European one.

Worse yet, racism assumes that Black people cannot stop doing certain negative things because it is an indelible part of their nature.

The color line meets him everywhere, and in a measure shuts him out from all respectable and profitable trades and callings.”

They also examine how racist attitudes breed abuse and violence.

Racism is a prejudiced opinion that assigns superior or inferior status to groups of people who share genetic or inherited physical characteristics. This bias against particular races is irrational and frequently hostile.