Dear Herman Cain, Your Statements Are A Slap In The Face To Black People

Dear Herman Cain,

I write this letter with all due respect and with the utmost concern about your recent comments on African Americans in these United States.

You have expressed your beliefs that "people sometimes hold themselves back because they want to use racism as an excuse not being able to achieve what they want to achieve” – that blacks have been “brainwashed” and that “racism hasn’t held anyone back in this country in a big way”.

The First Amendment says you are entitled to your free speech.

However, as an African American man and citizen of these United States (we may have to do the ol’ birth certificate review...you know the drill), you must understand your statements are a slap in the face to anyone in the struggle for equality.

Not only this; it is an affront to the African Americans who sacrificed their lives on your behalf. 

You have an inspiring success story, and there are many in this country, as you have stated on several occasions.

But when those who have had the fortune of being successful take the liberty to bash the less fortunate – when those who have achieved begin to label others as non achievers, lazy or less than based on their race, class or social status – when those with a platform assault their own people from that platform - it is extremely dangerous and problematic beyond your comprehension.