来自《耶鲁大学开放课程：美国内战与重建1845-1877 第25集第25集》

to come to the capital of the nation

来到国家的首都
to take part in the deliberations of this House,

在这座议会里参与议政
and to participate with you in making laws

与诸位共同拟定法律
for the government of this great republic,

以助这一伟大共和国的政府
I am treated, not as an American citizen, but as a brute,

而我却不被当作美国公民只是一头野兽
forced to occupy a filthy smoking car, both night and day,

被迫坐进一节冒烟的车厢不论日夜
with drunkards, gamblers and criminals, and for what?

周围全是酒鬼赌徒罪犯为什么
Not that I am unable or unwilling to pay my way,

不是我没钱买车票
not that I am obnoxious in my personal appearance

不是我的仪表令人厌恶
or disrespectful in my conduct,

也不是我举止无礼
but simply because I happen to be of a darker complexion "

只是我肤色比较深而已"
Now here's the irony and the point

讽刺的状况是