new-jim-crow

What is key to America__ understanding of class is the persistent belief _ despite all evidence to the contrary _ that anyone, with the proper discipline and drive, can move from a lower class to a higher class. We recognize that mobility may be difficult, but the key to our collective self-image is the assumption that mobility is always possible, so failure to move up reflects on one__ character. By extension, the failure of a race or ethnic group to move up reflects very poorly on the group as a whole.

The issue, perhaps, boils down to one of how perceptions or misperceptions of racial difference impact various individuals_, or groups of individuals_, experience of freedom in America. Some would argue that it goes beyond hampering their 'pursuit of happiness' to outright obliterating it.