William L. Clay: “each year during Black History Month we honor the many great African American men and women, who over the course of our…”

“each year during Black History Month we honor the many great African American men and women, who over the course of our nation's history have made important and lasting contributions to our country and its people. It is also a time that we, as a people, examine our place in American society. Through this examination, we identify and celebrate our achievements, while also rededicating ourselves to overcoming those obstacles that still confront us. Here in America, people are born equal and made unequal by their surroundings. These conditions create a socioeconomic gap, where birth and inheritance breed success, while merit and hard work are frequently meaningless. It is worth noting that, more often than not, the roots of this socioeconomic gap have come from the seeds of racism. But let's assume for the sake of argument that racism is dead. I certainly will not claim that race makes no difference in society today, but this assumption will help prove a point. Let me first say one thing: Wealth and poverty are inherited more than they are earned. Because of this fact, we need to do more to resolve race-based inequalities within our system. The battle over affirmative action has been, more than anything else, an attempt to solve the social inequalities based on race in America.”