The fact that myths may disguise the truth makes them potentially destructive, particularly when their legends become institutionalized. The author corrects some myths about the Negro past, especially in regard to slavery. He notes that some of the current beliefs about alleged Negro inferiority are based on a presumed sociopathology and examines the fallacious aspects of some myths related to this. Further study leading to the explosion of remaining myths, he feels, can help destroy their destructive effects.Abstract Teaser