The Conflicts of the Black Race: Delayed Economic and Educational Prog
The Conflicts of the Black Race: Delayed Economic and Educational Progress
4/4/97
In the 1960 's, blacks, led by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., fought for their civil rights and equal opportunities. Although they had only been out of slavery for less than a century, they felt the time was way past due for them to receive the same treatment as other American citizens. Our people struggled to receive decent education programs for their youth for the right to earn a decent living, and to receive respect from other racial groups. Fortunately for our generation, their fight ended in victory. However, 30 years later, despite the progress made then, our community does not seem to have kept up with our ancestor 's rate of self-improvement. Not only are blacks still disrespected by other races, problems also plague us such as poverty, drugs, and miseducation. To make matters even worse, we also have a serious lack of unity. Some of us feel as though it is not our responsibility to help other blacks when they are in need.
Another major problem is the existence of racism. This negative attitude leads to many physical and psychological problems within the black community.
Therefore, lack of unity within the black community and the effects of racism are two major factors when contribute to the slow progress of black people.
Before the Civil Rights movement racism was so blatant that not knowing it existed would have been difficult. Presently, it is so subtle that some argue we cannot blame racism for our problems. Unfortunately, they are wrong. The effects of racism can be seen in the segregation of our neighborhoods and in our high unemployment rates. White people want to keep their contact with us to a minimum. In 1991, USA Today reported that the 1990 census "concluded that 'the majority of the nation 's 30 million black people are as segregated now as they were . . . in the '60s ' " (Smith 104). This proves that although some blacks ' incomes have
4/4/97
In the 1960 's, blacks, led by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., fought for their civil rights and equal opportunities. Although they had only been out of slavery for less than a century, they felt the time was way past due for them to receive the same treatment as other American citizens. Our people struggled to receive decent education programs for their youth for the right to earn a decent living, and to receive respect from other racial groups. Fortunately for our generation, their fight ended in victory. However, 30 years later, despite the progress made then, our community does not seem to have kept up with our ancestor 's rate of self-improvement. Not only are blacks still disrespected by other races, problems also plague us such as poverty, drugs, and miseducation. To make matters even worse, we also have a serious lack of unity. Some of us feel as though it is not our responsibility to help other blacks when they are in need.
Another major problem is the existence of racism. This negative attitude leads to many physical and psychological problems within the black community.
Therefore, lack of unity within the black community and the effects of racism are two major factors when contribute to the slow progress of black people.
Before the Civil Rights movement racism was so blatant that not knowing it existed would have been difficult. Presently, it is so subtle that some argue we cannot blame racism for our problems. Unfortunately, they are wrong. The effects of racism can be seen in the segregation of our neighborhoods and in our high unemployment rates. White people want to keep their contact with us to a minimum. In 1991, USA Today reported that the 1990 census "concluded that 'the majority of the nation 's 30 million black people are as segregated now as they were . . . in the '60s ' " (Smith 104). This proves that although some blacks ' incomes have
References: Smith, Ed. Not Yet Over the Hump. Fairbank, Alaska: JAED, 1994.