Thomas Perez, the Secretary of Labor, believes that “[the] workforce and [the] entire economy are strongest when [people] embrace diversity to its fullest,” which includes advancements made by African Americans during the 1880’s to the 1930’s. Prior to the 1880’s, Reconstruction was instilled in the South to repair damages caused by the Civil War and provide equality for African Americans. Unfortunately, Reconstruction did not stop racism, but it allowed education and the aid of charitable organizations to be provided to former slaves. The access to education and helpful organizations are illustrated in August Wilson’s play, The Piano Lesson, as his characters use these institutions to make economic progress. Wilson’s character Berniece wants
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Avery decides to become a Preacher after God comes to him in a dream and tells him “that these sheep people that [he] [sees] in the other room [have] to go over to the other side of this valley and somebody [has] to take them” so Avery volunteers (Wilson 25). Avery, a black American who faces much racial prejudice, is willing to assist the economic advancement of African Americans by helping them “over to the other side”, while also beginning to establish his business in the community. Churches were one of the only social outlets that African Americans could attend without being persecuted by white Americans, this allowed preachers to not only talk about religion, but about economic opportunities. Unfortunately, racism towards African Americans in the 20th century created a barrier that they could not overcome keeping them economically inferior. In an article by Rollin Lynde Hartt called “The New Negro”, Hartt explained some of the economic hardships African Americans experienced due to racism, as “they [had] to pay twice the rent” and “a color tax sometimes as high as 50 per cent” (Hartt). The fact that African Americans had to pay more than whites for sustenance was one of the main reasons that black Americans could not make a good living. Black people who are determined to succeed
Avery decides to become a Preacher after God comes to him in a dream and tells him “that these sheep people that [he] [sees] in the other room [have] to go over to the other side of this valley and somebody [has] to take them” so Avery volunteers (Wilson 25). Avery, a black American who faces much racial prejudice, is willing to assist the economic advancement of African Americans by helping them “over to the other side”, while also beginning to establish his business in the community. Churches were one of the only social outlets that African Americans could attend without being persecuted by white Americans, this allowed preachers to not only talk about religion, but about economic opportunities. Unfortunately, racism towards African Americans in the 20th century created a barrier that they could not overcome keeping them economically inferior. In an article by Rollin Lynde Hartt called “The New Negro”, Hartt explained some of the economic hardships African Americans experienced due to racism, as “they [had] to pay twice the rent” and “a color tax sometimes as high as 50 per cent” (Hartt). The fact that African Americans had to pay more than whites for sustenance was one of the main reasons that black Americans could not make a good living. Black people who are determined to succeed