AT, As I said, I was speaking in generalities, so of course it doesn't apply to everyone's life. I don't know what your particular circumstances were growing up. I grew up in a "lower" middle class neighborhood in the 50's in a row house neighborhood in a big city back East. There was tension/fights between our neighborhood and the black neighborhoods. I was in basic training in the Army (proudly) in Georgia in '63. then lived down South until '69. I've experienced/seen first hand the difference between being black and being white. This has nothing to do with enabling, or "handouts" and everything to do about our history (NOT Stereotypes) and perhaps why there so much racial animosity in this country.
I agree with what you say, people have to take responsibility for their own lives and not use the past as an excuse for obnoxious behavior or not getting off their butt and taking care of business. I applaud you for what you've overcome/accomplished. Let's all learn from each other.