Smiles in the World's 150th Happiest Nation

Why are these men smiling? They are black men, yet they lack Nadir's official US-imposed dour disposition (not that I ever see Nadir without a smile). These black men grew up in a time in the US when black men really had something to complain about: they lacked full citizenship due to their so-called "race." They even participated in the battle against that circumstance, such as when they insisted on eating in the whites-only officer's mess in Alabama during their famous training.

They served as Tuskeggee Airmen in WWII, on behalf of a nation that at the time misused them. And here they are, smiling, even as they recite the Pledge of Alligiance... to a nation that, at their birth, disrespected them, but -- thanks to their own actions -- no longer does. Compare the situation a young black man finds himself today in Alabama, compared to when these guys were training for WWII: they could not vote, speak or associate freely, or live or work where they wanted, avail themselves of all public services, etc. Lynching was a real possibility for voilating those strictures. Now compare today's Alabama with the rights and prospects of most blacks anywhere else in the world, including Africa. Hence the immigration patterns that we see. And the the smiles on these mens' faces. Imagine the opportunities that their grand children and great grand children have, if they will only avail themselves via constructive choices.