Sold down the river, yes...but...
A great many of us (whites) knew we were being lied to, but it didn't matter because as long as we clutched the lie tightly to our chest, it promised us that we *were* entitled, that we *were* superior. We interpreted the unspeakable suffering that we caused as proof of our supposedly exceptional nature.
And...we most certainly deserve every kick in the chops that we've brought upon ourselves.