The quest for black citizenship in the Americas Published Feb. 18, 2009 By Lloyd Conley 90th Medical Support Squadron F.E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo. -- At the beginning of the 20th century, two generations after emancipation, dehumanizing racism had betrayed the promise of first-class citizenship for the vast majority of Americans who were black. In the southern states, whites had stripped blacks of the right to vote and constructed a society based on racial segregation reinforced through a system of unjust laws, intimidation and murder. Black Americans in the northern states did not fare much better. They were confronted with many forms of discrimination that thwarted their aspirations and limited their options in pursuit of the "American Dream." The Supreme Court turned a blind eye to the denigration of American citizenship taking place across the land and in the government itself. This occurred even though the 13th in 1865, 14th in 1868 and 15th in 1870 Amendments to the United States Constitution addressed the issues of slavery -- states abridging citizens privileges or immunities, and the right of citizens to vote without consideration for race, color, previous condition or servitude. The United States military was a direct reflection of the American society at that time. But, significant changes began to occur toward the middle of the century. A crucial milestone in America's struggle for, and against, racial equality was reached when President Harry Truman, the nation's 33rd president, signed executive order 9981 in July 1948 ending racial segregation in the military. In spite of internal resistance, the U.S. military was almost completely desegregated by the end of the Korean War in 1953. Truman's other legislative proposals like an anti-lynching law, a Commission on Civil Rights, an anti-poll tax law and a permanent Fair Employment Practices Commission, were years from realization. Desegregation of the military was a harbinger of things to come then. Martin Luther King Jr. began organizing civil disobedience and nonviolent protests in the southern states to bring national attention to the brutal segregation in the region and the entire nation as a whole. The protests were only a strategic tool in the struggle to not only end all forms of racial segregation in the United States of America, but to confront and put an end to the blatant, debilitating racism Americans who were black were subjected to daily in their lives. Icons of the movement were engaged in the struggle for racial equality more than half a century ago. President Barrack Obama's election victory is a direct correlation to those peoples' actions and the events that transpired more than six decades ago. Changes, with regards to race, that occurred in the United States in the 1950's and 1960's were the most significant sociological impact of the 20th century. Most people, black and white, who lived through those times were aware and could appreciate changes were taking place in America. Children born in those decades were shielded to a degree from the cruelty of racial discrimination and polarization of the era. The callous system of racial segregation began to dissipate while they were young. They witnessed events as they occurred, and as they grew and matured, benefited from the changes the struggle wrought. The sixties were a watershed for race relations in the United States. Interestingly enough, 1968 was the most pivotal year in that decade. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated. The democratic presidential frontrunner Robert Kennedy was killed after giving his victory speech as a result of winning the California primary. There were violent race riots in major American cities. There were confrontational and sometimes violent student demonstrations on college campuses throughout the nation. And, America was engaged in an extremely costly and divisive war in Vietnam. There was also a presidential election. In contrast, 40 years from that pivotal time, America elected its first black president in 2008. It would appear that things had come full circle and it seems a phrase from King's "I Have a Dream" speech is as relevant today as it was then. "I have a dream that my four children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character." This phrase seems relevant to President Obama's historical election victory because the content of his character is what Americans saw and judged him by. Yes, he is a black man. But more importantly, he is a man who is black. Who a person is rather than what they are is the essence of the burgeoning struggle for racial justice and equality that reached its zenith more than six decades ago. The most important fact to remember is that the struggle is far from over. A great deal has changed since 1909. The physical barriers to citizenship for Americans who are black were far easier to remove than the barriers people placed around their hearts and minds; but it happened, and more barriers will continue to dissolve. We must remember some people paid the ultimate price to make the dream a reality. As we mature, we soon discover it's unrealistic to perceive our world in simple terms of black and white absolutes -- the opposites of two extremes. It is the gray matter between the two and how we treat each other that define our lives, our nation and the world we live in.