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Pre-20th Century African American History

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African American history. It has great and true stories to tell. These African Americans have different and unique stories to tell. Because of these people, they have made the United States a better place. Let’s go deeper into African American history.

Pre-20th Century Contributions Way before the 20th century, African Americans made outstanding contributions to various characteristics of American society despite the challenges of slavery and discrimination. They excelled in areas such as literature, politics, arts, music, abolitionism, and entrepreneurship. But what people have had a huge impact in this era of Black excellence? Let’s list a few. Phillis Wheatley. She was the first ever published African-American female poet. …show more content…
The Civil War officially may have put an end to slavery, but it didn’t end discrimination against Black people. They continued to suffer the disastrous effects of racism, especially in the South. By the mid-20th century, Black Americans, along with many other Americans, came together and began an unequal fight for equality that lasted two decades. Martin Luther King Jr., a Baptist minister and civil rights leader, became known as one of the most inspiring figures of the movement. He advocated for nonviolent civil disobedience and delivered his famous “I Have a Dream” speech during the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom in August 1963. The march drew over 250,000 people and is considered a defining moment in the Civil Rights Movement. Malcolm X, another prominent figure during this time, advocated for Black empowerment and initially promoted violent self-defense as a means to achieve civil rights. However, he later renounced violence and emphasized the importance of education, self-discipline, and self-respect before his assassination in 1965. Rosa Parks, often referred to as the “Mother of the Civil Rights Movement,” played a crucial role in initiating the Montgomery Bus Boycott and became an international symbol of resistance to racial segregation. She …show more content…
African Americans continue to face systemic racism in various aspects of society. This includes discrimination in employment opportunities, housing, healthcare, and the criminal justice system. Systemic racism maintains and limits the advancement of African Americans in these areas. For example, studies have shown that African Americans are more likely to be rejected for job interviews or promotions compared to their white counterparts with similar qualifications. Furthermore, fixing practices in housing have led to segregated neighborhoods with limited resources and opportunities for African American communities. Another significant challenge faced by African Americans is the inequality in education. African American students are more likely to attend underfunded schools with fewer resources, experienced teachers, and advanced placement courses. This contributes to lower academic achievement levels and higher dropout rates among African American students. The lack of access to quality education perpetuates the cycle of poverty and limits opportunities for future success. African Americans are greatly impacted by the criminal justice system. They are more likely to be arrested, convicted, and receive harsher sentences compared to white individuals for similar offenses. This racial disparity is evident at every stage of the criminal justice process, from

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