America’s dirty-little-highly-known secret is that “American” = ”White.” It doesn’t need to be stated or highlighted because it’s assumed. With whites being the majority in this country and everyone else being initially disenfranchised, the very idea of being an American has been tied to whiteness in ways that are still being fought against today.

But America isn’t all white. Whites are losing their “market share” of the population day by day. In many major cities across the country white citizens are a minority, and this fact is disconcerting for many.

But the magic part of “America” is that this definition, this supposed default image of the physical representation of our country folk can be challenged, argued against, and, above all else, changed. America was built—in theory—to be welcoming and to represent all kinds. That sort of rhetoric opened the door to direct assaults on this default image. And as Americans of all races, creeds and colors create families and rise through the layers of class and careers, what being an American means is being redefined in a way that many who felt disconnected from the history and heritage of this country are finally feeling a part of—even proud of—what being American is.

But too many Americans still believe “American”=”White.”

(Mitt Romney) was called “brave” because to go speak to an audience that represents a group that primarily voted for your opponent should be looked at as an act of strength, and obviously, he’s trying to bridge the race gap in the political parties.

Or he told Black people to go eff themselves.

I understand that many who read this will assume that I’m pulling the race card. (You call it a race card. I call it my life. Weird.) I’m creating a racial issue out of a simple political campaign, and obviously, all I’m attempting to do is derail and be divisive. I’m willing to take those critiques because I can’t see how else to see this: Mitt Romney gave a speech where he initially acknowledges real issues in the Black community but at the same time he chose this space to show his ever-elusive backbone.

Romney has been running the “Say Anything 2012™” campaign all up until this point. All of a sudden, when he took the stage in front of Negroes, now he’s going to be strong. He’s going to keep it real.

He told the room that he would repeal the Affordable Care Act. He didn’t explain why it was bad and that he understands the issue. He understands how much health care is important to the community. No, he was going to be strong now.Later on in the day, Mitt Romney even BRAGGED that he got booed. He explained he’s not going to give different speeches to different groups.Why the hell not? Why wouldn’t you cater your speech to deal with a group that looks at the country and issues differently than you? You don’t walk in to a room full of Tea Partiers and give the same speech you give to the NAACP.

That’s literally preposterous.