The claim:
The fact:
Who claims it (and why)?
Activists such as Nikole Hannah-Jones1, Kim Crenshaw2, and Ibram Kendi3 promote this myth. They claim that slavery and segregation are proof that 'racism' was an American founding-value and that, therefore, all of America's key institutions are inherently racist. This claim is historically inaccurate, but it serves their political purpose: to provide a noble-sounding justification to dismantle America's institutions, and to replace them with an impossible socialist utopia. Slogans such as "No Good Cop in a Racist Society", "Defund the police", and the infamous "Systemic Racism" claims are all based on the 'America Racist' myth.
Why the claim is false?
- Race wasn't foundational: Neither the 'Declaration of Independence', the U.S Constitution, the 'Bill of Rights' or any of America's founding documents discuss race. America was built on the principle of individual rights, not racial superiority / inferiority. Slavery was a political concession, not a philosophical blueprint.
- Not uniquely an American sin: Slavery was the norm in 1776... and yet, Americans fought and died to end slavery during their Civil War. Soon after, the U.S. embarked on a mission to abolish the Transaltlantic Slave Trade , internationally.
- Its foundations ended slavery. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur adipisicing elit. Eligendi ipsam commodi
- Today's issues are not merely legacy, Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur adipisicing elit. Obcaecati natus possimus aliquid quae dolorem amet perferendis, dolore eos ad quia aspernatur non in vero deleniti eligendi animi est ipsam nemo.
The U.S. Navy played a key role in this effort dispatching warships off the coast of West Africa, intercepting slave ships and freeing enslaved Africans.
Info about the Three-Fifths Compromise...
Info about the Naturalization Act...
1 This article is part of a series that debunks common claims about America.
2 This article is part of a series that debunks common claims about America.