Black in America: Your e-mails

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(CNN) -- Decades after integrated schools, voting legislation and historic civil rights marches, what does it mean today to be black in America?

As part of the special report "The Road to Equality," CNN asked readers to describe their experiences and their thoughts on equality.

I-Reporter Angela Billings of Oak Park, Illinois, sent her story on video .

Here is a selection of responses, some of which have been edited for length and clarity.

Mario Broussard from Columbus, Ohio
What does it mean to be black in America? I feel it can be summed up in one word: Misunderstood. There are so many African-Americans who would love to have the opportunity to receive higher education. Knowledge and education is indeed power. Black America is so much more than a hip-hop video or athletics. ... Black America is STRONG, INFLUENTIAL, POWERFUL, and can be GREAT contributors of American society IF given the same opportunity, along with some direction.

Jewell Green from Glendale, California
I've lived in predominantly white areas, black areas and now a predominantly Armenian/Asian community and see the difference of attitude of how to live and make life good in America. The hope and dream seems to be missing in the black community as if we know nothing of anything better. ... I feel like many members of the black American community feel stuck wherever they are. ... There just hasn't been enough growth in our community to really get the masses to understand HOW to make their lives better.

Annamarie Borders from Dothan, Alabama
Being black today means ... you have to try harder, perform better just to prove you that you are half as good and you don't fall in the stereotype "black person" group. It means that you come from the strength of people who survive most any given situation. Being black is more than a skin color, it's a way of life, and you constantly have to defend your right to everything. Being black is also a sense of pride, knowing where you came from (slavery), the accomplishments of your ancestors and who your strength to survive comes from (God). Although as a people we are not where we should be, thank the Lord we are not where we use to be.

Annie West from Aurora, Colorado
[Being black in America] means I have rights that I may have not had if I lived in Niger or Darfur. I am a black woman in America. I am blessed of God (with my own life challenges) that I was born in America. Sing with me, GOD BLESS AMERICA, (and this black woman in America) MY HOME SWEET HOME!!

Raymond Howard from Goose Creek, South Carolina
Black in America means I have to teach my 15-year-old son how to be comfortable in an uncomfortable world. When you dress a certain way or speak with too much bass in your voice or stand straight up and look a person in the eyes -- these things are threatening to some people and can cause a problem for the black man. I tell him that D.W.B. (driving while black) is real. ... Being black in this country is something that's almost unexplainable. Like having a baby -- if you haven't had one, you'll never know the pain.

Sharon Gordon from Missouri City, Texas
I am extremely proud of the accomplishments of my people. Although there are major challenges each day, I think each generation has made strides in solving diversity issues. We have come a long way, and yet, we still have a long way to go. As we mature and grow older, we should embrace our young African-American brothers and sisters and teach them to love one another and live in harmony.

Delila Owens from Royal Oak, Michigan
Being black means that I have a [culturally rich] history. Unfortunately, in America when people see me they see all of the stereotypes that surround young black women. Rarely is my character or the quality of my character ever discussed. Being a black woman in America means constantly having to "prove" my credentials ... For me, being black means acknowledging and understanding my rich heritage and refusing to buy into the ignorant stereotypes and covert forms of oppression that is inflicted upon black people. Overall, being black to me means not having to contend with just being a color. It means allowing inner beauty and innate intellect to be your guide.

Vance Williams from Chicago, Illinois
Being black in America today is almost like being invisible. It's as if any specific needs that we have as a race are assumed to have been satisfied during the civil rights movement. ... We are either ignored or disregarded by major advertisers, television executives and even politicians. ... For those of us who achieve a certain educational, celebrity or income status ... we are somehow seen as "the exception." ... The fact that this question even comes up is a sure indication that there is a lack of racial identity, respect and equality in America.

Arsene Ouedraogo from Houston, Texas
Being black in America is great if you know how to use your potential. This is a country of opportunities and if you are on the right track, there's nothing that can stop you, even the color of your skin can't stop you. ... I am proud to be black and to be African.

Lemmon Hamilton from North Brunswick, New Jersey
The thought of what it means to be "Black in America" up to now is a constant struggle of managing perceptions -- perceptions that others have of my "blackness" or perceptions I have of my own "blackness." Will I allow someone's perceptions define me? Or shall I define myself? ... Any accomplishment of anyone that looks like me is an "exception," or the "first black ____." I can't wait until these novelties are done with. For once, I would like to be seen as me. Lemmon Hamilton. A dark-skinned American man. But even still, there is much more to me than that. Baby steps. :)

Pamela Farmer from Baltimore, Maryland
Simply put, although I don't have to contend with water hoses, police dogs, and church bombings the way my mother did in Mississippi, things haven't changed. People are more passive or as Sean Penn stated on "Larry King Live," racism is more "institutionalized." On the first night of class at Johns Hopkins University, the instructor went out of her way to inform the class that she is a card-carrying member of a southern organization for descendants of slave owners. She stated that you had to have documented proof that your family owned slaves before membership was granted. Throughout the semester, she made racial quips at all of the African-American students (myself included) ... so much so, by the end of the semester, I was the only black student remaining! (Glad to say I maintained straight As!)

Annette Newsome from New York, New York
There hasn't been much of a change for blacks that live in America. ... We are still struggling for equality in areas of education, job market, housing market and police brutality. It has been said that America is about equality. When do we get our share? We are still fighting for rights that should be equal to all.

Dennis Taylor from Jamaica, New York
African-Americans have made great strides in America today, but we still have a ways to go. There is a lot of mistrust among blacks toward each other. Even though African-Americans can become millionaires, many of us are living near the poverty line. We need to stress education instead of thugism in our communities. We need stronger black leaders who are not afraid to get their $1,000 suits dirty. We have to overcome this second-class mentality we have about ourselves. Despite all this, I am proud to be an African-American.