Race: Blacks long denied middle-class stature

Re: “Trump is the leader of our revolt,” (TNT letter, 9/17).

The writer refers to “populist Americans, made up mostly of the white middle-class and blue-collar workers, who have historically made America great.”

Slavery is what created a lot of the early economic wealth of the U.S., and this was built on the backs of African Americans. The true middle class didn’t grow until after World War II, and largely due to the GI Bill and low-interest home loans, so that people like my father could get an education and own a home.

These government giveaways were largely denied to African Americans who also fought and died in WWII and were thus largely kept out of the middle class. The greatness of this country was due to contributions from all groups, including Native Americans, African Americans, whites and immigrants of all creeds.

This story was originally published September 20, 2016 at 2:46 PM with the headline "Race: Blacks long denied middle-class stature."