Your quote is why I deviated from the premise. Those holding the keys to change are predominantly, if not all, white males. This is because our nation was founded on slavery, and because of its success in terms of monetary gain, those with the keys to power, predominantly white males or those who promise to uphold a "caste" system, work to keep "slavery' in place. It's just basically invisible now because it's so effective. That's why when Kipp was upset because the speaker was general and could have worded his charge differently, the speaker was just saying that a notion of white supremacy at our nation's founding to justify slavery has helped keep a racist system in place.

I deviate from the premise because we are fighting the wrong issue. The speaker didn't rule out wealth differences because he mentioned race. That is an incorrect assumption to make. ("And then a speaker would declare it's the greed of the white man or that white people are an oppressive people.") Just because he mentioned race in his speech doesn't mean that those in power don't want wealth differences as well. I believe that is also what he was referring to in his speech. Once this is understood, no one was excluded or discriminated against.

Also, although race has not been the only way that people have been prejudiced against, I do believe it is a 1:1 causal factor. Especially considering that my ancestors went through slavery, my grandmother and great grandmother worked as domestics in white households, and their experiences have helped me develop a clearer picture of what has taken place in our country. Even as you mentioned, when you go to a prison or jail you usually see predominately African Americans, when African Americans make up only 13% of the U.S. population. Especially when you study the destruction of famous black businesses like those on Black Wallstreet, the Black Codes, even the attempted sterilization evidenced in the Skinner case, countless lynchings, lower life expectancies for African American males, the "War on Drugs," etc., it is hard to deny that those in power have not deliberately attempted to confine African Americans to a lower class.

The speaker should just be understood for all the pain he has had to go through. He is hurt. We should understand the way he speaks and not demand he speak differently. As I said he could have explained himself better, but we have to look at the particular circumstances of the situation considering the history of our nation. He even clarified himself, but I wouldn't be mad at him. I would be understanding and get to know him. Then, I would join with him and others who want to make things better. We shouldn't worry about the language as much in this context, but what's at the heart of the issue. This is a systemic program, so we have to attack the system. One of the tools that has kept the system in place has been a notion of white supremacy, whether explicit or implicit.

We have to understand the system, understand the methods and the people who oppose this system, and then come together despite our differences to promote not just any "change" but a positive change. The main issue is finding a common purpose that is specific and action-oriented. It may cause consternation, but no revolution ever started without it (even the American Revolution). That is what will be required to make an big impact on this system. A revolution.