We were brought here in chains, against our will. And countless lies are told to Black people about America to try and make us feel GRATEFUL for it! These are the Top 5 Lies we get told about the “land of opportunity.”
Lie #1: The “American Dream”
If you work hard in America, you will be successful! Right? Well, we worked hard for hundreds of years and got NOTHING. And nearly every time we’ve created hard-working, successful communities? They’ve been destroyed by white supremacy.
Lie #2: America is “Land of the Free”
Many of the men who wrote that “all men are created equal” in the Declaration of Independence were slave owners. And we still don’t have the freedom to simply live without potentially being harassed or even killed by police!
Lie #3: “Religious Freedom” is the American Way
Religion-based governments were set up immediately upon arrival in America, and “separation of church and State” did not apply to states until 1940. Religion was also a major factor in the establishment of racism!
Lie #4: Racism Is A Thing Of The Past
Especially post-Obama, lots of Americans consider themselves “colorblind” or “post-racial.”
We only need to look at who fills prisons, wealth inequality, the experiences of our children in schools, and the everyday indignities we suffer to know that this DEFINITELY isn’t true!
Lie #5: There Has Been Steady Progress Since Slavery
The period immediately after slavery, “Reconstruction,” was incredible. Black-owned businesses boomed and many Blacks were elected to government. But then Jim Crow came and things got MUCH worse, for decades! We can NEVER take progress for granted.