America's Present, Not Its Past Is Exceptional
I along with the rest of the world tuned in recently to the 2016 Olympics in Brazil, the opening ceremonies were certainly a site to behold. It featured elaborate visual displays special effects and cultural dancers. One in particular which told the story of Brazil's eclectic but sordid history of slavery. Which is by no means unique to Brazil, nor to any country in the world. Very few nations can claim no history of it. I can distinctly remember learning about the powerful West African empires of Ghana and Mali in high school. If only I were sophisticated enough at the time to ask an obvious question: How did they become empires? Steeped into the conscience of many Americans is the premise that the United States was "founded on slavery and stolen land from the native Americans". The dark beginnings of American history are only unique to those with only a cursory knowledge of history. If one throws a dart at a map of the world, It will most certainly land on a c