African Americans have tested, threatened, pushed and broken boundaries for the betterment of their people since even before the official abolishment of slavery in the U.S. in 1865. They have trekked along troubled, treacherous paths and blazed new trails where they were none. It is because of the determination and dedication of those who came before them that we can now vote, own our own houses and cars, and have positions in Congress. We can become whatever we desire to be- teachers, dancers, doctors, lawyers, politicians, CEO’s and even president of the country.
Despite the astounding accomplishments of African Americans, we continue to bleed from old wounds of the past. Many of the same issues that plagued African Americans fifty years ago still have the same adverse effects on black communities today. Poverty, health, unemployment, welfare, and lack of education are all issues that have a deep and strong hold in our community. Forty-seven percent of African Americans receive some sort of welfare. African American women are now the fastest growing sector of the U.S. population heading to prison. African American men make up half of all incarcerated individuals. Thirty-three percent of African American children live in …show more content…
During enslavement, there were no legal marriages or legal rights established by the law for African Americans. (Holloway, Keppel 151) Slave masters had control over who could mate or not. The mother, an important figure, was the most stable element of the family. The father held the dominant position and was seen as the head of the family. The needs of the masters came before the needs of the slaves. They were regarded as personal property and as an economic investment. They also had the power to separate families with little remorse as a way of making more money. (Holloway, Keppel
Despite the astounding accomplishments of African Americans, we continue to bleed from old wounds of the past. Many of the same issues that plagued African Americans fifty years ago still have the same adverse effects on black communities today. Poverty, health, unemployment, welfare, and lack of education are all issues that have a deep and strong hold in our community. Forty-seven percent of African Americans receive some sort of welfare. African American women are now the fastest growing sector of the U.S. population heading to prison. African American men make up half of all incarcerated individuals. Thirty-three percent of African American children live in …show more content…
During enslavement, there were no legal marriages or legal rights established by the law for African Americans. (Holloway, Keppel 151) Slave masters had control over who could mate or not. The mother, an important figure, was the most stable element of the family. The father held the dominant position and was seen as the head of the family. The needs of the masters came before the needs of the slaves. They were regarded as personal property and as an economic investment. They also had the power to separate families with little remorse as a way of making more money. (Holloway, Keppel