If there is a group that earned their place in this nation the hard way it is the African-American.

This is one of the five or so most important groups in the USA. They are not spread equally across the country, as you know, but their cultural influence is everywhere.

This group is unique in that it was created on American soil. Slavery molded people from different tribal groups into a new ethnic group. African-Americans impact on American music is profound. Blues, Jazz, Gospel, R & B, Funk, Hip-Hop, and Electronica all were pioneered by members of this ethnic group. On the downside, African-Americans commit a disproportionate share of the violence in this country, usually against each other. Influence grade of 4 stars.

Blacks need to stop listening to fools like Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton and listen to themselves instead of people telling them what to think. I get sick of the constant race card. However, this is a strongminded race and they overcome obstacles.

While they have brought some of the greatest cultural experience to our country, music and food for example, I believe that the great majority are keeping there overall image way down. At the end of the day they are not helping Americas image at all. If I was born in a vacuum and was shown images of how the majority of this group choose to represent themselves and the the things that they revere, I would probably not think well of us at all. On a side note: Well said Wiseguy, I agree 100%.

** I think you may be confused / overly sensitive about your KKK point - I don't think anyone labeled you that. Also, before you accuse folks of breaking the site rules, you may want to understand a little bit better this site's defnition of a flame. You can do so by checking out the RIA Administrator's post (!Link Url="http://www.rateitall.com/i-71404-no-flaming-personal-attacks-on-other-ria-members.aspx" Name="HERE"!). Have a great day! ** Who do Blacks look up to? Who do whites look up to? Something tells me that you and I don't look up to the same people Wiseguy... even though we share the same skin color. To me, there is not much more ignorant than beginning a sentence with Blacks do this, or Whites do that... Let's talk in specifics. Wiseguy, are your personal preferences driven by the color of your skin? Your choice in heroes? Your choice in music? Do you only listen to white music? Only watch white athletes? Only admire people that share your skin color? If you do, your comment makes perfect sense. If you don't, it looks pretty ignorant from where I'm standing. I'm starting to really hate this list.

Actually, they do look up to Bill Cosby. And Michael Jordan. And MLK. And Miles Davis. And Langston Hughes. And Cicely Tyson. And Rosa Parks. And yes, Jesse Jackson. And Hell, I look up to Chris Rock. I think he's hilarious.

The most dysfunctional group in America, due mainly to institutionalized racism which has stifiled any attempts for the group to ever achieve anything that equated equal status with whites. Such racism, whether installed by laws or just by individual practice has had such an ingrained effect on African-Americans that it has hampered the group's ability to rise above the challenges that face them and has made them second class citizens of this Nation for mostly all of ths countries' existence. That is a main reason why they're three stars, but some fault does lie within the group itself. Despite having the deck stacked against them much of the time, African-American have made some impressive contributions to the Nation, many of which are not always recognized by the Country or it's citizens. Blacks have overcome quite a bit in order to have a life for themselves and contribute to the Nation working, serving in our military , helping in charitbale causes and taking part in politics, religion and entertainment. Still, there are more than enough who are part of the poor and underclass who have suffered and have failed to rise about poverty level. African-Americans have contributed to many of the serious social ills of the country while also being a victim of the same. There are certainly quite a few bad apples in the bunch but this group pretty much wants what everyone else wants from America. Although there are social and cultural differences between African-Americans and other groups, they are by and large, like-minded people like everyone else in the Nation. The one major difference being that African-Americans frequently look at things from a racial point of view, often view things with race in mind first and are the first ones to reference race in any matter.

As Chris Rock and Bill Cosby have indicated, about 1/3 of the African-American population is messing it up for the rest of them. Serious problems stem from an out of wedlock birthrate around 70% - a recipe for substance abuse problems, criminal justice system experiences, and lack of formal education. Blacks, however, have made undeniable contributions to the wealth, culture and character of America. This country would be unrecognizable without their diligent labor and contributions.

They are hard to group these guys can be nice but I have yet to find an african american that doesn't thing I am out to hurt him or make fun of them.