The African American community... free essay sample

The African American community has enjoyed much progress from the days when slavery was legal up to date where they enjoy almost equal opportunities with the whites. However, it is still very easy to observe trends among the two groups that evidence a disadvantage to the black community in almost every area of life whether socially or politically. While it is not appropriate to underscore the advancements made by movements such as the civil rights movement, there are challenges that black Americans face for the reason of their being black. When it comes to basic things like housing and education, the African Americans do not enjoy the same opportunities with the whites. African Americans face many problems and obstacles in todays societies. Some Include, Economic challenges, social and political issues that African American citizens fight and face today. ?HistoryThe history of Africans in the United States has been one of a continuous fight for equality. The African Americans led the abolitionist movement to put an end to the cruel institution of slavery that diminished their dignity. However even with winning the fight against slavery, there were other impediments that made it difficult to enjoy life on the same scale with the Americans and advance themselves. There were laws that were erected as blocks that enabled racial segregation and even though we may say that the different races enjoy equal protection under the law, there are still visible disadvantages like when it comes to police brutality and employment. In 1896, the Supreme Court ruled that public facilities that were racially segregated were legal as long as the facilities for blacks and whites were equal in Plessy v Ferguon. This ruling by the highest court made it constitutionally acceptable that African Americans should not share the same schools and other facilities with the whites. The Jim Crow laws established the separate but equal doctrine that prevailed in the United States for six decades and segregation was legal. The colored people however fought to put an end to this segregation especially in public schools which culminated in the landmark case of Brown V Board of Education in 1954. This case was a great win for the colored community in America as it pronounced that racially segregated schools were unconstitutional. Many school boards that consisted of white members however did not receive this ruling well and failed to implement it. The African American community was not happy with the slow pace at which change was happening and they took to the streets led by the likes of Martin Luther King Jr, Ella Baker and others. Even though Martin Luther King Jr was assassinated, the Black Power Movements had emerged and they called foe political and economic equality. The government responded to these agitations by the black community with some affirmative actions for the black community in areas like college admissions and employment. However, these affirmative action plans were done away with in p ost racial America where it is supposed that race does not matter while it in fact does. Even with the election of Barack Obama as a black president of a white nation, the problems that African Americans face because of their color are still persistent.After Brown v Board of Education, the Supreme Court held in Runyon v McCrary in 1976 that even private nonsectarian schools that practiced segregation by denying admission to students on the basis of race went against the federal civil rights laws. This was a ruling that followed the precedent that was set in Brown which was the legal precedent that was used to overturn laws that were used to enforce segregation and by the 1980s, the affirmative action had equalized college admission and attendance to a large extent.Post-racial America and Barack Obamas presidency Barack Obamas presidency was synonymous with success in attaining the end goal of the civil rights movement and gave pride to so many Americans since it was a sign that racial equality had finally been achieved. The president changed the perception that black A mericans had about themselves and inspired millions of black people. Even his campaign experience showed that African Americans has gained some acceptance as political actors in the nation. During his presidency, Obama sought to satisfy the population that was consisted of different ethnic and racial groups though the use of color blind language which appealed to most Americans. The candidacy and victory of Barack Obama are celebrated as historic achievements up to this day. While Barack Obama was president, he envisioned an America that would not be divided on any basis whether it be the liberal or conservative America (MacLeod, 2018). The goal is to have an America where all people have access to equal opportunities regardless of whether they are Black, White, Latino or Asian. Economic challengesThere are so many economic challenges facing the black American community which have been epitomized by visible racial disparities in unemployment and wealth. The gap between the races in unemployment shows the degree of discrimination in the labor markets in America. The economic challenges faced by African Americans are as a result of many forces stemming from inherent racial inequality and although it is argued that it is because of education differences while the economic disparities between blacks and whites who have the same level of education like a bachelo rs degree is clear. Even whites who have only completed high school have a higher employment rate than blacks who have gone through college which translates to differences in income and subsequently the different economic levels where the black community is disadvantaged. There is a great wealth divide when white households are compared to African American households and this is not only a matter of economics but a matter of social justice which needs attention as a priority when it comes to the broader economic policy. This is because even with the gains in other areas like educational attainment, there is no reflection of the same when it comes to income