Gone With The Wind was published in 1936 and the movie followed in 1939. Both book and movie were blockbusters; in fact, some say the book was only second to The Bible in copies sold. Every American – especially every African American of voting age – should take time to give it a look. The movie would certainly gin up their resentment and hatred, not just for the conditions of slavery, but also for the stereotypical depictions and characterizations of slaves. Nonetheless, everyone should watch all 3 hours and 58 minutes to dwell on just a few seconds — on one secondary scene – less than 30 seconds of background dialogue – that gives prophetic insight into 2015 politics – and African American behavior. The scene is this. Scarlett O’Hara and Mammy are sloshing through the mud of an Atlanta street and they pass by a crowd of newly freed black men listening to what carpetbaggers have to say:

(to Scarlett)

Hey, what are you doin’ tonight, Susy?
That’s one of them Georgia peaches.
There’s nothing like that in Ohio.

(to the former slaves)

You know what we’re going to do?
What?
We’re going to give every last one of you forty acres and a mule.
And a mule?
Forty acres and a mule!
Gee!
‘Cause we’re your friends…

…and you’re gonna become voters . . .
. . . and you’re gonna vote
like your friends do!

That was 150 years ago. Today’s carpetbaggers still beat the same drum and the ancestors of those slaves still dance to the rhythm of the free stuff and the promises. Incomprehensibly, in 2015, they still vote to cling to the shackles of dependency and the pathology of resentment and bitterness. Meanwhile, they elected one of their own President (twice). They see their brothers and sisters sit on seats of power at major institutions. Their athletes dominate all major sports at all levels. Their celebrities populate music, movies, television and other entertainment venues. They’ve come a long way from war-torn Atlanta. From slavery to Freedmen. To 40 acres and a mule. To citizenship. To voting rights. To separate but equal. To Martin Luther King and Civil Rights. To Affirmative Action. To Barack Obama. And then, unfortunately, to Miami, Ferguson, Baltimore and Columbia, Mo. Therefore, you must come to a conclusion. Instead of instilling optimism, dedication and confidence, the unprecedented progress from slavery to the White House has created unprecedented pessimism, dissatisfaction and hostility. You must conclude that Black anger and racist discord have nothing to do with material rewards, greater opportunity and political power. You must conclude that the Black Race has a visceral animosity toward the White Race, believing that the White Race considers the Black Race intellectually, morally and culturally inferior. There it is. The racial divide has nothing to do with the trappings of success. It has everything to do with a perceived lack of acceptance. Yet the White Race elected a Black President. Evidently, this acceptance isn’t broad enough or deep enough. It’s a bit more than 40 acres and a mule. But curiously, it’s not enough. You must conclude that nothing is.