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The 1950's: The African American Housewife

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The African American and the American Housewife in the 1950’s Edith M. Stern and George E McMillan’s essays reveal comparisons, differences and reasons for these differences between housewives and African Americans during the 1950’s. Housewives and African Americans were both oppressed, controlled and unheard. They had opposite differences like level of household income, the dwellings they lived in and how they were treated in social environments. The main reason for these differences was race, but the parallel between these two groups of people is thought-provoking. Some of the comparisons brought about in these writings were that both groups were oppressed, controlled and unheard. African Americans worked for low wages and housewives worked for no wages at all. The skills of the African American were not available to help the common good since they were often times stuck in menial jobs or never given the chance because of their skin color. Housewives didn’t get a chance to help the common good because they were taking care of the household, children and a husband. Both groups would like to have been recognized and treated as an equal, but they were unheard voices in a world all too busy to listen. As many comparisons as there were between these two groups there were many differences as well. These writings made …show more content…

Housewives and African Americans were both oppressed, controlled and unheard. Their differences were on opposite sides of the spectrum like level of household income, the dwellings they lived in and how they were treated in social environments. The premise for these differences ultimately was color. Women and African Americans are among few during this time that rallied for their fair treatment in this United States. Their perseverance paid off and has left a better future for the generations to

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