"We must all strive to "clean the slate" and try to start over again. What has happened over 150-200 years ago is atrocious by today's standards, but no one living today had any affect or influence over that time period. Holding modern ethnicities responsible for past atrocities seems to be the hub upon which this debate relies upon; and is an imperfect approach at a solution." Part of the point is that the descendents of the oppressors still benefit substantially from the actions of their ancestors, in terms of wealth, property and privilege most anglos simply take for granted. There's still a lot of levelling to do, if we really want to talk about "equality" and "justice" in this country. History is history, except when people are rioting in the streets of L.A. or Philly or Detroit or Cincinnati.