African Americans, whether wealthy or poor, have experienced a long history of discrimination and systemic racism in America. Class has nothing to do with this debate. Wealthy blacks remain to be black, African American, and therefore a member of a highly disadvantaged group of people in America. Rich or poor, black is black. Although wealth provides greater opportunities for individuals of all races, the wealthy black man is still viewed as a black man, an inferior being in American history. This is why AA is necessary: to provide equitable opportunities for historically disadvantaged groups.