I am an 88-year-old black man who grew up in segregated Virginia. I have studied and read a lot of history of this country in regard to relationship between white and black people. I think that the Reconstruction programs created after the Civil War to help the newly-freed slaves were terminated too soon. The United States government gave in to the former rebellious Southern states in order to unify the nation. The newly-freed slaves were not completely prepared for citizenship and able to compete in society. Then, Jim Crow laws were established in the Southern states that, in effect, denied the black people equal rights and full citizenship.
Racial conditions and unrest that exist in this country today have roots in the mistakes of the past. I think this country should start another program similar to Reconstruction to improve the condition of blacks and other minorities. Such a program could include means to enhance the educational, cultural, and behavioral status of the people. Laws could be passed to require all people to behave properly. A well-educated black population would contribute to the overall well-being of the country.
Programs were started after World War II to help and change the culture of the German and Japanese people with great success.
Robert J. Blackwell, Baltimore