Racism And Oppression Of African Americans

Racism is part of America’s history. Historical leaders like Martin Luther King, Jr. brought the Injustice problems to the light. King, Jr. “Letters from a Birmingham Jail confronts racism in the United States of America through his response letter to the clergymen criticism, while he is in jail due to holding a protest in Birmingham, Alabama. King, Jr. wrote “Letter from a Birmingham Jail” to defend the non-violent protest. He claims that the protest needed to happen because of the injustice that was going on. “In any nonviolent campaign there are four basic steps: collection of the facts to determine whether Injustice exist; negotiation; self-purification; and direct action. We have gone

African-American people have been treated unequally compared to people of European descent. For example, african-americans could not use certain public things like water fountains; when it comes to restaurants, black people had to go to the back to eat. Another thing, black people had to attend different schools than white people furthermore, the schooling was not as good as the others. The way african-americans were treated was not justified in any way at all. To explain, the african-americans probably felt horrible about the mistreatments they experienced. When they had to go to the backs of restaurants it was very inconvenient and they were basically being shamed and ridiculed all day no matter where they went. Some of them weren’t even

During the 1960’s African Americans were abused, considering they were black consequently, terrible living conditions affected all African Americans, for example Oigbokie was abused in a historically black college in Alabama. Oigbokie Said due to the fact that African Americans wear Kente cloth it doesn't confirm that they happen to be African. African vs. African American is an article written by Tracie Reddick and it’s a descriptive writing. Yeshitela is from St. Petersburg and there are no cultural differences between Africans and African Americans. In 1990 the income of an African who migrated to America was higher than African Americans.

History, especially in regards to issues of race, is a repetitive thing. There are recurring events just with different faces, places, and circumstances consuming the individuals of the communities we live. Once where the black communities started to form their own progressive movements and make a name for themselves in America they are now regressing back to a time where justice for the black community only seems to be something we dream, hope, and fight for. Reading “The Fire this Time: A New Generation Speaks About Race” by Jesmyn Ward made me open my eyes to a different reality one that I think I tried to believe did not exist to appease the fantasy that one day we would all be seen as truly equals. In reality, we are not equals. We live in a world that constantly tries to demean people of

For centuries Africa American’s have been stripped from their freedom, their history, and their human rights due to racism and white supremacy. However, in 1868 there was a light at the end of the tunnel, African Americans thought there was an end to racism and the beginning of equality when the 14th Amendment was created. The 14th Amendment stated, “All persons born in the United States are citizens of the United States… no state shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law”(The Founding Fathers) With the privilege of being a citizen a person is entitled to universal freedom (Walton, Smith). Even though the 14th amendment enforced that the state shall not deny privileges to citizens, it never brought about equality for African-Americans because of racism. The Amendment was intended to create equality, however its meaning was misinterpreted and ultimately benefit white males. Because of this, it denied them of their right to freedom from barriers created to keep African Americans inferior such as Jim Crow Laws, Gorilla Warfare for Voting, and Institutional Racism.

Racism is still a very prominent issue in America today. Yes, it has improved from the days of slavery, and we do have a black president; but society is nowhere near equal, and that is not acceptable. White Privilege by Paula Rothenberg truly opened my eyes to the extent of the social injustice on African Americans. Just by being white, one is oppressing another race because the privilege and respect that comes with the skin color. Whether intentional or not, the racism is still there and present and that is not acceptable. Being white, I’ve never suffered from the repercussions of racism, but after reading and becoming more aware of the suffering of African American’s, it is significant to write and spread the knowledge about racism and especially implicit racism. Everyone is surrounded by racism on a daily basis, and it’s important to be aware of your actions and the effects they have on society.

John Lewis once said that “The scars and stains of racism are still deeply embedded in the American society." Racism has become a huge issue in people’s everyday life and not many may notice, but that’s because it’s been around for so long that it’s not new to anyone and it is the normal, when in reality that means it is so bad that not many people notice anymore. [African Americans experience racism in two main places their workplace and their education, and in a certain way, police brutality.]

The United States’ treatment of African Americans has changed tremendously since the country’s founding up until now. African Americans were first introduced to the country in one of the harshest manners possible. They were brought over on tightly compacted slave ships and then forced into hard labor for the entirety of their lives. This went on for centuries until African Americans were finally given their freedom after the Civil War. Albeit this was much better than slavery, citizenship came with many troubles of its own. The years following the Civil War, known as the Gilded Age and the Progressive Era, would prove to be, aside from slavery, some of the hardest times for African Americans in all of U.S. history.

Modern day racism and hatred against African-Americans can be traced back to slavery in the Colonial Americas. Over 10 million slaves were taken and brought into the New World. These slaves if they were to survive the way would face a harsh life of servitude to their white masters. Africans slaves were and plentiful and cheap labor source in the 1700’s. Slavery was very controversial in the colonies. The practice had many believers and critics. Slavery was a brutal but big part of American history.

We are reminded of that history with every breath we take of injustice. The unfair treatment of blacks can mostly be attributed to lingering after effects of the end of the civil war and the bitter-sweet downfall of the confederacy. Violence that claims the pavement that we walk on and the lives of those who are our future. Poverty takes hold of the lives of the youth. The dehumanization of those who do not fit the social confines that have been drafted by those who try to crush the people they consider beneath them: It creates a new, invisible barrier that many choose to hold as the definitive disparity that cordially distinguishes the blacks from the

One may have a strong argument if they were to say the racism in America seen in the 1960s has not changed much when looking at present day. There are still a large number of “murders” of black individuals, young and old alike. Now, racism is not just a phenomena in the United States. It can be seen all over the world in different sizes and forms. People of color in Europe, for example, may face different challenges and hardships of people of color here in the United States but can still view it as racism. Racism is present almost everywhere. A series of videos backs up this claim. In America, racism can be seen widely through the treatment of African Americans in jobs, schools, traffic stops, and more. In France, the racist treatment of Muslim women is seen in the attacks of their choices of clothing. This shows the variety of racism in one country to another.

Throughout the 1900’s we have documented African Americans being persecuted and slaughtered by hate groups, while the United states government turned a blind eye. Minstrel shows successfully convinced the American public that people of African ancestry have the natural urge to rob, rape, and murder innocent women and children without any remorse. Naively, the American people bought into the act and became frightened of the color black on a man’s skin. Movies and skits mocked African American’s culture and appearance. European Americans AND African Americans were taught that African Americans were uneducated and mannerless. That they did not have any self-value, dignity, or honor and nor should they be treated with any. African Americans became hated. Racism and brutality against them were encouraged and taught by local civilians without any punishment from the local and state government. Segregation was prevalent in restaurants and bathrooms and African Americans were discouraged to have a proper education.

Lately, there have been several stories in the news that highlight the mistreatment of African-Americans in today’s society. These stories are horrifying to read as an American who believes in justice and equality for all, and have caused quite a stir in the black community. After the death of Trayvon Martin in Sanford, Florida, a cry went out from the people; the slogan #BlackLivesMatter took life and started to spread throughout the United States. The slogan became even more popular with the people after the death of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri. This slogan is used around the United States today as a way to bring light to the long unresolved and underlying issue of racism and oppression of blacks in this country. This transaction

In the documentary Ethnic Notions directed by Marlon Riggs, illustrates the oppression African Americans have faced during the time of slavery up until the present day. The same forms of oppression blacks faced during slavery is the same type of oppression they faced today, decades after slavery was abolished. These forms of oppression still seen today are evidence that America has not made very little progress in eliminating the inequalities among the white and black Americans. The documentary uses different caricatures to portray African Americans in the wrong light. These characters were suppose to show the way

“Racism the belief to distinguish a race with beliefs that they are superior to another”. As racism remains a major setback in America, it is in no Comparison to how it was like back in the days. From the pain it caused and the poor innocent people being tarnished on just cause of the color on their skin, this was a horrific phase to those who lived upon it. We have accomplished enormously but then again we still have much to improve. With the most discreet subtle form, modern racism is slowly catching up to us.