I think the inequality is evidence for the need of redress, but it isn't directly the cause. If slavery had ended, and the former slaves and their children had quickly become full and equal citizens, there would be little cause for an additional remedy. But what happened instead was that a determined former Confederacy dug in its heals, passed a bunch of laws to recreate as much of slavery as it could, and waited. And a full century later, there were still people willing to blow up churches, and murder children to prevent even a black person from registering to vote. That's most of your "ancient history" right there, and sheriffs willing to ignore and sometimes participate in these crimes, and white jury pools willing to acquit anyone accused.
Every black person, even those who came here recently, was and is harmed by this continuing injustice.
