European American from rural Mississippi. Family has primarily lived throughout MS, AL, or rural VA since the 1800s. Most migrated from Germany, some Norway. Every generation of males in my lineage fought or served in their generations' military conflict (Civil War, WWI & II, Korean War, Vietnam, and even myself {Iraq/Afghanistan}). This can be said about most white American families from farming based, rural economies up until 1975.

Almost every single KKK member, white nationalist, assassinator of civil rights leaders, politician advocating Jim Crow legislation, and historical white American figures against blacks... were involved in their generations military conflict.

There is a correlation between military involvement at a young age, and the subsequent dehumanization of the "other," which was sanctioned by the US government during times of war, and how that mentality affected civil rights of blacks in America.

Probably won't find that in a history book, but that correlation would explain Americas slow evolution in treatment of minorities.