The funny thing about it is, at the time this statement was made, we were a very segregated nation – not only de jure segregation of blacks, but also of whites by national origin. Many people chose neighborhoods, shopped, socialized, and worshipped in places identified by a particular national origin. Here in St. Louis, the traditional Italian and German neighborhoods have long since disappeared, save for a few grocery stores and churches, their ethnic residents and heritage scattered to the suburbs.

But the desire to hyphenate, at least for some, is stronger than ever. So we have the peculiar situation that those who once were prohibited from drinking from a “white drinking fountain” or swimming in a public pool, who are now welcomed on equal terms everywhere, no longer wish to call themselves just “American.” Indeed, one local talk host omits the American entirely, claiming to be just plain “African.”

Nick Kasoff
The Thug Report

Good points, Nick.

Teddy himself was a forward-thinker for his day. He was the first to have a black man to the White House for a visit. And a black woman, for that matter. He was also the first to make a black federal appointee.