African American history is the time of American history that involves the African American or Black American groups in the USA. Most African American’s come from African descent and were forcibly brought to and held captive in the United States of America from 1555 to 1865. Africans were captured in African wars and transported to be used as slaves. The first African slaves were brought to Virginia in 1619. The English settlers treated these captives as servant’s and released them after a few years. As servants were freed there became a growing problem of replacing them. As a result, in 1641 the first colony legalized slavery. Other colonies followed passing laws that passed slavery on to the children of slaves and making non-Christian imports
The Life of a Slave Slavery a name known since the beginning of time but I will be focusing on the year of 1619 to 1865. When Africans first arrived at the colonial America and how they got there. They greatly influenced the lives throughout the thirteen colonies. People failed to realize they were humans just like them.
“Why don’t we have “White history Month?” Because white history month is every month other than February. The culture of power determines which version of history is told and retold.” Mr. Hanson, my high school social studies teacher always told us, “The winners get to decide how history is told.” I mean, prior to the Women’s Rights Movement, women were stuck in the home while men went to work and supported them, but then women were liberated and able to get jobs working outside of the home, right?
The New York City neighborhood-bounded by the Harlem River, eventually became the biggest and one of the most important black communities in the United States. Harlem began as a farm village in Dutch, New Amsterdam. It remained an agricultural community until after the Civil War. In the 1920’s, the Harlem Renaissance brought together a talented group of artists, writers, and musicians that included Aaron Douglas, Ro-mare Bearden, Zora Neale Hurston, Langston Hughes, and Duke Ellington. Harlem, a district of New York City, situated to the north 96th street in NE Manhattan.
African Americans face a struggle with racism which has been present in our country before the Civil War began in 1861. America still faces racism today however, around the 1920’s the daily life of an African American slowly began to improve. Thus, this time period was known by many, as the “Negro Fad” (O’Neill). The quality of life and freedom of African Americans that lived in the United States was constantly evolving and never completely considered ‘equal’. From being enslaved, to fighting for their freedom, African Americans were greatly changing the status quo and beginning to make their mark in the United States.
It had historically been reported that enslaving Africans started in the new continent’s colonies long before it became a legal form of labor. Slavery in British North America dated back to 1619 when “on August 20, African American history began when a Dutch ship delivered “twenty and odd” Africans to the English settlement at Jamestown, Virginia, where they were sold by bid as indentured servants.” (Rodriguez 01). These Africans were not considered as slaves at the beginning but as involuntary servants. They were promised to work only from four to seven years and then they will get their freedom and become land owners too.
Graduation The way African- Americans have been treated by white Americans in history is truly awful and disgraceful. Maya Angelou is an African- American eighth grader who will be graduating shortly. She could not be more excited about the day she has been anticipating for months now “I was the person of the moment” (76) feels Maya. Maya and other African-
Post Civil War, African Americans started to gain rights to gain rights, and soon gain rights equal to whites. While there were some people/things standing in their way (KKK, Black Codes), in the end they got what they needed; Equality. Many acts and laws were passed to aid the new rights now held by African Americans, as well as the numerous people willing to help. New Amendments were added to give African Americans rights after the war, all giving them some equal rights to whites. The first of the three added was the Thirteenth Amendment, it gave African Americans freedom from slave owners, and stated that no one could be kept as a slave in the U.S..
African Americans who in the South fought for their freedom and also in rebellious ways. Blacks were promised their freedom if they served in the war against the Confederate and the Union. During the war there were many killed and some survived. Those whose survived from the war was not granted their freedom like their master 's promised them. Because their freedom was not granted as should, back began to rebel and try to enforce harm against their owners.
Slavery in America first began in the first permanent English settlement, Jamestown, in 1619. African slaves were brought to this colony to assist the colonist in the production of the profitable crop tobacco. Slavery in America would go on to be practiced throughout the America until the late 18th century. The abolition movement was an endeavor to abolish slavery in the United States.
In the United States America, African American People played an important role in the Civil Rights Movement. In a nationwide address on June 6, 1963, President John F. Kennedy insisted the nation to take action toward assuring equal treatment of every American regardless of race. Soon after, Kennedy proposed that Congress consider civil rights legislation that would address voting rights, public accommodations, school desegregation, nondiscrimination in federally assisted programs, and more. Despite Kennedy’s assassination in November of 1963, his proposal ended in the Civil Rights Act of 1964, signed into law by President Lyndon Johnson just a few hours after House approval on July 2, 1964.
1. Black sociology has come a long way from the early years when black sociologist had to fight for their work to be recognized by their white contemporaries and assert the need for a discipline that was unique and specific to the needs of African Americans. Today, I believe that Black sociology has accomplished many of its goals as far as reexamining the way Black people are studied. Through the use of empirical data, oral history and participant observation; Black sociology has evolved into a more holistic science in the way its studies Black people in America and in other parts of the African diaspora. However, I also believe that black sociologist should engage the public more often.
In Western culture, the ideal woman is supposed to have distinctly Caucasian features. A lot of black women are afraid of appearing "too black". Think of the black celebrity women that are considered beautiful: Halle Barry, Tyra Banks, Rihanna, and Beyoncé. None of those women have very black features. This is because Whites make up most of the West and created an ideal standard of beauty that is aligned with Caucasian features.
Writing Assignment #2 A. When I first heard about the race test in class, I was excited about it, because race issues is very relevant in our country today, so I thought this test would show how we as individuals feel about other people, just based on their race. This is how I felt about the race test before I completed the test, and this is how I felt after I completed the test. It didn’t matter what the results were, I was and still is very interested in what my true feelings are about racial groups, in this case African American vs European American, and since I’m an African American woman, who is surrounded a lot by European Americans, I knew it would be important to see if I felt a stronger preference for either racial group. While I was taking the test, it made me think of my prior racial bias against my own racial group, African Americans, and how I once ignorantly thought that African Americans were beneath European Americans.
As an African American educator I am unable to do many things, such as voting and having access to economic opportunities. There are many Americans who are able to vote due to the fact of their skin tone which is simply unfair. We are all Americans we just have somewhat of a different race. In past times many African American citizens and other races suffered from slavery and inequality.
African American Studies was a great experience. Has opened my eyes to my surrounding and the world around me. This course with Dr. Sheba Lo, was something out of me confront zone. I learned so many things from race to cultural to the importance aspect of African American. We are isolated to an environment that hide so much history that we all don’t think they are important to who we have become.