Contemporary narratives about slavery often minimize the influence that these decisions made in the 1600s have on the modern-day U.S.—perhaps to obscure the ongoing, daily effects of caste. But the reality is that slavery defined the U.S. for so long that the country’s social, political, and economic structures are still built around it in many ways. Even though slavery has been abolished, the myths, lies, and cruelties it created have become ingrained in American culture.