At least they "tan", I just burn. : )
Paternal Great-Great Grandfather arrived in U.S. in 1848 from Prussia. Volunteered (not drafted!) and fought four years in the 5th Wisconsin Infantry in some of the Civil War’s bloodiest battles to liberate Jeremiah Wright’s ancestors. Left a wife and five children at home in Watertown WI to do so. They got by on the generosity of the community who supported families with breadwinners in the service.
Maternal grandfather came through Ellis Island in 1906 from Macedonia, worked out west building railroads. Told us they had to have a cavalry escort as there were still renegade aborigines out on the plains even at that late date. Sent back to the old country for my grandmother. They only spoke Macedonian in the house.
So, based on my grandparents, I am German/German-Polish/Macedonian/Macedonian-Turkish.
In other words, a typical white American guy.
If black Americans want reparations for slavery, I’m still waiting for my reparations from them for the sacrifice my great-great grandfather made to end that evil institution.
Better yet, let’s just call it even.
I tend to think the only way to address race in America is to compare life of “everyday people” in Europe, Africa and the Middle East and realize that all 3 have been slaves and slave masters. If one follows Al and Jesse, they live like Africans in America. If one follows Islam, they live like Middle Easterners in America. If one follows Europeans, they live like Europeans in America. Everyone is free to choose but no one should complain. Everyone else can live like Americans in America!