“Black Reconstruction in America” (1935) by WEB DuBois, is a detailed, thoughtful examination of a dangerous time in US history.

“The South was ashamed because it fought to perpetuate human slavery. The North was ashamed because it had to call in the black men to save the Union…” Chapter 17, The Propaganda of History.

Chapter 16, Back Toward Slavery, describes the devastating conspiracy of the Southern planter class and Northern capitalists, to exacerbate the racism resulting from 400 years of the Trans Atlantic Slave Trade, and thereby create a cheap, long-term labor supply. The white people were deliberately manipulated to prevent any type of labor solidarity which would require higher wages to be paid:

“They were given public deference and titles of courtesy because they were white. They were admitted freely with all classes of white people to public functions, public parks, and the best schools. The police were drawn from their ranks, and the courts, dependent upon their votes, treated them with such leniency as to encourage lawlessness. Their vote selected public officials, and while this had small effect upon the economic situation, it had great effect upon their personal treatment and the deference shown them.” [pages 573-74]

The opposition to a fair vote continues today. The White House and Congress tremble at the thought of what might happen this year, after the greed, betrayal, lies, mismanagement, and fiscal irresponsibility shown by them in the past fifteen months.

Education, protest, and voting are pathways to a better future for the nation. This is exactly why they are under attack.