BHO's critics will take a historical beating on this one.

>Remember this is from a piece that is sympathetic to
>inequality in modern American society. And yet, as a black
>american, I read that and know that it is complete utter BS
>and a blatant lie to say that the history of the US is the
>history of a place that "held more fervently than any other
>country the belief that all comers can penetrate that elite as
>long as they have talent, perseverance and gumption".
>
>That is completely untrue when Slavery and Segregation was
>enforced for a majority of the history of this country.

And I've gotta believe that this passage isn't even considering the existence of blacks, natives, or other people of color. They're defaulting right to white males (which is very telling, IMO).