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
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
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