Somewhere in the post-election media frenzy, CNN showed something that depicted Arthur Ashe as one of Obama’s personal heroes…

I’m sorry I didn’t pay closer attention to the interviewer…

was knowing that they didn’t have it exactly right, and allowing amendments to the Constitution.

The founders knew the southern states would not join a union of states if they abolished slavery right away. The best they could do was plant the seeds for slavery’s end in the Declaration of Independence with comments such as “all men are created equal”.

If the founders had tried to abolish slavery right away, then the southern states wouldn’t have joined and there would have been no chance in defeating the British, at that point in time. It’s pretty obvious in hind-sight that the British would have eventually been thrown out, but it’s also very likely that this country would currently be at least 2 separate countries between the north and the south. In that situation, it is very likely that slavery would have lasted much, much longer in the south than it did. Let’s not forget that it was the north that really forced the end of slavery.

The greatest failing on this continent was certainly allowing slavery, but we can’t blame the founders for not abolishing it in 1776.

Just my thoughts.

Extremely bright guy, with an interesting take on that period of our nation’s history. If you have any interest in 20th century civil rights/racial history, I strongly recommend his book on the era; a somewhat revisionist theory in terms of the judicial role in desegregation, but regardless a great, if disturbing look at the history.

he did say,

I will say then that I am not, nor ever have been in favor of bringing
about in anyway the social and political equality of the white and black
races – that I am not nor ever have been in favor of making voters or
jurors of negroes, nor of qualifying them to hold office, nor to intermarry
with white people; and I will say in addition to this that there is a physical
difference between the white and black races which I believe will forever
forbid the two races living together on terms of social and political equality.
And inasmuch as they cannot so live, while they do remain together there
must be the position of superior and inferior, and I as much as any other
man am in favor of having the superior position assigned to the white race.
I say upon this occasion I do not perceive that because the white man is
to have the superior position the negro should be denied everything."
Abraham Lincoln
Source: September 18, 1858 – Fourth Debate with Stephen A. Douglas
at Charleston, Illinois

Context is always important in history, too.

Obama accepts the Democratic nomination on the 45th anniversary of MLK’s “I Have a Dream” speech. He will take office five days after what would have been MLK’s 80th birthday (and the day after it’s national observance).