The two stories illustrate that African-Americans are not given an equal chance in terms of gaining opportunities for a successful life. However, it may be possible that one key factor among all can develop a whole problematic image on success and why White Americans think of the African-American society as to not having the capability for a chance towards success. At the time, the economy could have been at a huge disadvantage for the African-Americans because majority of them did not have the chance to rise up from it in terms of creating revenue for themselves. The whole world around them built this image and it is hard to come out of when no one can give opportunities for them to improve and grow. Harlon L. Dalton expresses how unfair the
It was much harder to get an education as an African American because of the lack of having an available school near you or schools, or having a school that is sufficient for a proper education. Even if there was a school nearby, it would have less funding so there would be less materials that were of poor quality, not as well-maintained buildings, qualified staff etc. In some areas, African Americans were not allowed to use textbooks with the constitution or Declaration of Independence, so that the students wouldn’t get ideas that would lead them to wanting equality. This lack of an educational foundation made it even harder for African Americans to move up in a society that was already stacked against them, and it was almost impossible to achieve a life like white people. (Boyd, Natalie).
After slavery, African Americans in the south were in a time of change. Though they were free from slavery, whippings, and auctions, I believe life became difficult for them even after slavery ended. Racism began to grow increasingly, as many could not accept the fact that there was no more slavery. It became stricter when the government in the South enforced laws called Black Codes. Those laws were set to grant only certain rights to people of color.
In this era of colorblindness, it is not acceptable to talk about race nor class. Conversations about class, Alexander argues, tend not to be talked about because one tends to see class as a reflection of one’s character. With that, the premise of American ideology is the idea that if one can work hard enough it is guaranteed that one will make it—AKA meritocracy. Hence, when one does not have the “proper discipline” nor “drive” to move from the lower to upper class—it is a reflection of one’s moral character. Alexander maintains that what is missed in this debate is that Blacks are not free to move up at all; yes they also do not have the same opportunities and are plagued by poverty, but they are prevented by institutions to move up.
The socioeconomic condition of African Americans underwent many superficial transformations from 1910 to 1930. Even though phenomena such as the Great Migration and the Harlem Renaissance cannot be discredited; the actual experience of the majority of African Americans remained stagnant. In other words, although the African American population experienced a notable shift from rural to urban and a subsequent cultural awakening in the time period between 1910 and 1930, they remained second-class citizens: confined to racial enclaves resulting from housing segregation and barred from the economic opportunities available to whites. African Americans were universally excluded from the social changes that the rest of the nation experienced during
African Americans and there Caucasian classmates were taught from a young age to develop a sense of pride and devotion to America, reciting the pledge of allegiance daily and learning about our courageous and heroic Founding Fathers. At the same time, the African American students were also brainwashed into believing that their ancestors “have never contributed anything to civilization” and were “nothing more than a record of humiliations gladly endured.” Growing up with these corrupt lies negatively impacted their future. Plagued with the idea that African Americans were somewhat worthless, society shunned them and “all the doors of opportunity [were] slammed in [their] face”. This pigeonholed their ability to qualify for jobs, restricting them to simple, low paying trades such as “a grocery boy or messenger”.
On one hand, the problem of classism is detrimental to African Americans because those of lower class have embraced the ideology that the black community will always be less than when compared to the rest of
For most Blacks, making money was hard, as they had to do unskilled jobs like draymen (a person who delivers beer for a brewery) or porters. Blacks could start their own businesses, but most Whites wouldn’t work with them or buy from them. In addition to the lack of ways to earn money for Blacks, they also had to pay taxes like everyone else. Blacks didn’t have to be slaves, but most of them still couldn’t get a job they liked, or earn much money from the job they had. With these factors, Blacks are very limited on economic
The American Revolution and the founding of the United States were a catalyst in opening up new opportunities for African Americans as, before this, they were treated as mere boosts to the economy. Thomas Paine’s common sense argued for African Americans as slavery denied their natural rights,the revolution marked the time of equality and liberty for the masses, and Benjamin Banneker’s letter to Thomas Jefferson marked a time of enlightenment and pursuit of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Thomas Paine’s common sense passionately advocated for independence from Great Britain and pushed for enlightenment ideas. Millions of African Americans pre American Revolution were subjected to slavery as a sort of necessary evil with their owners having a conscious awareness of how brutally sadistic and unethical slavery is yet still used slaves as a means for economic gain.
Although slavery was declared over after the passing of the thirteenth amendment, African Americans were not being treated with the respect or equality they deserved. Socially, politically and economically, African American people were not being given equal opportunities as white people. They had certain laws directed at them, which held them back from being equal to their white peers. They also had certain requirements, making it difficult for many African Americans to participate in the opportunity to vote for government leaders. Although they were freed from slavery, there was still a long way to go for equality through America’s reconstruction plan.
Being black in America for most people means you have to face discrimination, and live the hard life at slums. However, as time goes on, there are more and more successful African
Within the African American community there is a culture of poverty due to the oppression they receive. At times, certain African American cultures are labeled as poor troublesome by the White culture. Once African Americans are labeled, they are often controlled by society. Thus, this is the reason why certain laws restrain from supporting the poor minorities because people buy into the stereotypes that describe African Americans. At times, African American groups are often segregated from the white groups.
There are many open wounds in the African-American community that have not healed what so ever. Disintegration of family structures in the African-American community has been a persistent problem for far too long. High out of wedlock birth rates, absent fathers, and the lack of a family support network for many young African-Americans have led to serious problems in America's urban areas. The persistence of serious social problems in inner-city areas has led to a tragic perpetuation of racial prejudice as well. African Americans still face a litany of problems in the 21st century today.
America is called the home of the free and land of the brave, so why does there continue to be so many people that live in poverty here in the United States with African Americans continuing to lead the poverty and hunger rates. African Americans have come such a long way and have accomplished so much since the days of slavery, although they still have such a long way to go, if they are going to be able to keep up with their white non-Hispanic counter parts. African Americans are still twice as likely than their white non-Hispanic counter parts to be hungry and to live in poverty. African American households have a significantly lower household income than white, non-Hispanic households and this being one of the reasons that African Americans remain in poverty and why many go to bed hungry at night. The hunger and poverty rates can be explained by the status and level of income from African American families.
The source of the difference is no secret. African Americans have been subject to a long history of social and economic oppression and disadvantage; they have experienced higher levels of poverty and lower levels of education than white Americans. After the Brown decision in 1954, the federal government and many states adopted policies to redress the past inequities, but those systems were insufficient to overcome generations of racism, which limited access to jobs and education. Despite significant progress in expanding educational access, education attainment, and economic opportunities for black citizens in the past half century, blacks continue to agonize. African Americans face many trials such as being disproportionately poor and attending racially isolated communities, where children are likely to be exposed to violence, gangs, and drug
