Explain to me the sense in this extract of the above:
q: 'In 2007, the group was awarded a Congressional Gold Medal for the part they played in the war and overcoming prejudice.'
Does this mean the American Government, on behalf of itself and the American people, have honored the Tuskegee Airmen for withstanding the virulent prejudice vented upon them by the American government itself, and the American people in general?
Doesn't that seem a little mealy-mouthed to you?
It sounds to me a bit like under-the-table self-congratulation by someone because they no longer beat their dogs.
As a corollary to this, and to fully make amends, wouldn't the American government (and people), having acknowledged the deplorable injustice of their attitude and actions, also have to properly censure themselves for this egregious treatment of black Americans? Can we expect to see that happening anytime soon?
Or could would that be a bridge too far; never allowed to happen because too many important and influential Americans and voters wouldn't stand for it, because they might look bad, or would at least have their noses put out of joint, or because it would just draw attention to the fact it never really stopped?
Maybe this kind of thinking only makes sense in a land where never is heard a discouraging word (just the echo of the crack of the whip on a slaves back) and the skies are not cloudy all day (except when rainfall is required to end an interminable drought, or wash away whole streets in frightful torrents of muddy water, cars, trees, pets and miscellaneous debris), but where everyone is free and everyone is equal.