AFA2000 Discussion 5
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Apr 3, 2024
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Uploaded by JudgeWillpower11372
The Race Game
Malcom X and Martin Luther King Jr were the most well-known and main figures of the black power and civil rights movements. Both movements aimed to improve the quality of life of
black Americans by diminishing racial segregation and ensuring equal rights. However, both movements used different methods to get their message across. The civil rights movement opted for non-violence and often protested through “demonstrations, freedom rides, sit-ins, boycotts, marches, and voter registration drives” (Franklin & Higginbotham, pg 509). Their protests were successful in enacting laws to end segregation such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Acct of 1965. On the other hand, the black power movement often times used violence to communicate their message. Instead of wanting to integrate blacks into the white community and end segregation, black power activists enforced black pride and strengthening the black economy within their community. In today’s society, I believe the black power movement would be more beneficial for the black community. The civil rights movement was successful in achieving civic equality, but laws do not protect black Americans from racism in everyday life. It is important to emphasize African history and build support groups for blacks that still face injustices due to their race. These modern-day injustices stem from the “white liberals and white America” that are still present today. Malcolm X commented that white liberals have mastered the act of supporting black Americans while still discriminating against them (MalcolmXClips, 2009). King had a similar sentiment when he experienced the civil rights campaign in the North. I agree that both of their comments still apply today. No matter how much citizens claim that racism and segregation does not it exist, you cannot excuse the social disparities around the country (Smith, 2010).
Julius Wilson was one of the first men to research the connection between class and race in the U.S. His most controversial finding was that “class more than race had become the principal factor” determining the social and economic opportunities of black Americans (Franklin & Higginbotham, pg. 585). He was highly criticized for ignoring the impact of racial prejudice on economic marginalization. I agree with those who criticized Wilson because there is
more than enough data supporting the marginalization between minor groups and the majority white population of America. Yes, class may play a factor in different opportunities such as what schools and jobs you may attend, but it is significantly more difficult for black Americans to boost their status than it is for white Americans. After watching the YouTube video, I believe that
2pac would agree with Julius Wilson because he focused his passion on how he grew up in a low-income community and was treated poorly based off his economic status. He did not focus too much on race (rmcpianist, 2022). Even before the Great Depression in 2009 African American families earned “just 64% of a white, non-Hispanic household” (Adejumo, 2019). Since African Americans are already so financially behind, another economic recession would affect them more than it would affect Whites. I do think it is possible for America to improve the economic equity between whites and blacks and lessen the effects of racism, but it will prove itself to be extremely difficult. Those who control the economy are upper class White Americans who will not want to share the wealth.
References
Adejumo, V. (2019, February 5). African Americans’ economic setbacks from the great recession are ongoing – and could be repeated
. The Conversation. https://theconversation.com/african-americans-economic-setbacks-from-the-great-
recession-are-ongoing-and-could-be-repeated-109612
Franklin, J. H., & Higginbotham, E. B. (2010). From Slavery to Freedom
. McGraw-Hill Higher Education. MalcomXClips. (2009, Nov 18). Malcolm X on White Liberals [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hm8wXZmRD8
Rmcpianist. (2022, Oct 21). Tupac speech 1993 Khalid Muhammad (RARE).
[Video]. Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L2HdwIDsMHM
Smith, J. (2010, January 18). The dr. king we rarely hear about
. Grand Rapids Institute for Information Democracy. https://griid.org/2010/01/18/the-dr-king-we-rarely-hear-about/
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