Atrocities committed on Native, African, Latin, or Asian Americans, but I do feel that we as a society do have a responsibility to right the effects of historical wrongs committed by our society. What actions derive from that responsibility should be part of societal dialog, but regardless of the actions taken, the responsibility to take action still exists.

Yes, poverty should be fought in all instances, but poverty that persists as the proximate result of historical oppressive actions deserves a different response.

And what about entitlement and personal responsibility? I agree each individual is responsible for their own actions and destiny, but unless experienced directly, it's hard to grasp the lingering effects of systemic oppression and the invisible obstacles faced by individuals trying to advance. 

Just because one oppress group was able to overcome their oppression doesn't mean we shouldn't feel empathy for other groups who still struggle. I have friends who like to point out that Mormons, oppressed and driven out of the US in the mid-1800s, still became prosperous despite the persecution. But that's because Mormons were mostly unbothered in Utah and were able to retain the culture that allowed them physically, mentally, and spiritually prosper.

Native and African Americans were rarely afforded that luxury. The Federal government forced Native Americans on to reservations away from their homelands and made limits on Native Americans' ability to practice their culture and religion. Slave owners in the South limited slaves' attempts to retain their original culture and religion and systemmatically separated family members in a direct attempt to limit the ability of slaves to organize. And the effects of those actions are absolutely being felt today.