It's frustrating to view these videos. Most of things things I know about, but I realize in watching them that I only became aware of them as an adult. Almost none of this stuff was taught in school as a child. It may have been mentioned, but significantly glossed over. I don't think we as a society grapple very well with the long-term effects of these events. I can think of some stereotypes thriving today, like the idea of "dirty Mexicans". In watching that video I was struck at how close to home that hit; not because I believe it, but because I apparently grew up with that notion, even if it was never explicitly mentioned (I grew up in a small, predominantly white area, but that got a lot of migrant workers). It just seemed familiar to me, even 100 years after the gasoline baths. I wish as a society we stopped placing so much emphasis on individualism and opportunity. It allows people to ignore the systemic problems that prevent people from having boots, much less bootstraps to pull themselves up with. Yes, if you try hard you might be able to succeed, yes the country offers many opportunities, but it's easier to overcome, say, poverty, as a white person than it would be to overcome poverty, segregated schooling, environmental problems that lead to health issues, generational trauma, etc.
