Disney+ is doing a disservice to this country with it’s
recent Proud Family episode with a rap, Juneteenth, regarding black history that
is a false narrative.
Slavery and the racism that followed slavery was a horrible
tragedy in the past but misrepresenting what this country was founded on, the
relative contribution of various populations, and what are the factors of the
disparities that exist today does a disservice to the United States and all of
its populations, including black Americans.
First, like Hannah Nicole Jones’ false narrative of US History
that claims the United States was formed to preserve slavery, Juneteenth repeatedly
claims that the United States was built on slavery and that salves built this
country (see lyrics below.)
A review of slaves, immigrants and citizens of the United
States shows that the actual numbers of slaves brought to the United States (~250,000), the ultimate number of slaves (~4 million), and the number of descendants of
slaves compared to the total number of immigrants, and non-black citizens in the United States
has always been small percentage of the populations and that the
immigrants and non-black citizens were a large majority of the populations and
no doubt contributed significantly to building the United States.
Second, is that it is well recognized that this country was
actually founded through the “Great Compromise” between the Northern States
that were against slavery and the Southern States that were for slavery. This country outlawed bring new slaves into
the US in 1808, the first year this was allowed by the constitution. This country limited new slave states to
match non-slave states to prevent slave states from gaining control (Missouri
Compromise). This country then had one
of the costliest, deadliest wars to end slavery (the Civil War.)
Juneteenth also claims that the descendants of
slaves in America have earned and continue to earn reparations. It is not clear
how these descendants TODAY have earned anything. Just as citizens and immigrants are required
to work hard to improve their lives, all citizens of all colors should be given
equal opportunities. And TODAY that is
the case. Yes, there was systemic racism in
the past, but since the 60’s this has been illegal, discouraged and ever exceedingly
rare and in fact, through Affirmative Action, blacks have been given a form of
reparations where all things being equal they have been given preference in
jobs and educational opportunities and this advantage has had an incredible
value.
Last is the ludicrous claim by Juneteenth that blacks have
made me, and all others, rich. I am a
mix of 2nd and 3rd generation immigrant from Croatia and
Mexico and my ancestors worked hard to improve their lives and provide opportunities
to their children. They scrimped, the
saved, they sacrificed. They had “the talk”,
they encouraged hard work, education and Judeo-Christian values. It is impossible for me to see how anyone made
me rich. TODAY, any systemic racism that may exist is minor, and is an unimportant
factor in explaining the disparity that exists today between blacks and
whites. The disparities today are
primarily one of culture. I saw my ancestors work hard to get ahead. I see immigrants from all of the world, including
black immigrants, working hard to get ahead.
They succeed. There is no
systemic racism today stopping anyone from working hard to get ahead and from
having and raising children that can get ahead.
Disney+ Proud Family Explaining Juneteenth - February 1, 2023
(Lyrics)
This country was built on slavery.
Which means slaves built this country, tilled this land from
sea to sea. First there was rice, tabaco, sugar cane, then Whitney did his
thing and cotton became king. And we were its soldiers, four million strong,
fighting for America’s freedom even though we remained America’s slaves. Built
this country, the descendants of slaves continue to build it
Slaves built this country
And we the descendants of slaves in America have earned
reparations for their suffering and continue to earn reparations every moment
we spend submerged in a systemic prejudice racism and white supremacy that
America was founded with and still has not atoned for.
Slaves built this country
Not only field hands but carpenters, masons, blacksmiths,
musicians, inventors built cities from Jamestown to New Orleans to Banneker’s
Washington. Forty acres and a mule. We’ll take the 40 acres. Keep the mule.
We made your families rich, from the southern plantations
heirs, to the northern bankers, to the New England ship owners, the founding fathers,
former Presidents, current senators, the illuminati, the New World Order
Slaves built this country
Turner, Frederick D. Then they say Lincoln freed the slaves,
but slaves were men and women and only we can free ourselves. Emancipation is
not freedom. Jim Crow, segregation, redlining, Public schools feeding private
prisons, where we become slaves again.
As we celebrate Juneteenth for the umpteenth time our
account is still outstanding, cause this country was built on slavery.
Which means slaves built his country and we demand our 40
acres and a mule. Bump that. You can keep the mule. Keep the forty. We’re
taking our freedom