African American History - Essay Example

running head: American History Since 1865 American History Since 1865 Submitted to No. [Pick the African Americans form the largest ethnic minority in United States. Historical analysis indicates that Black Americans in US have faced various changes in their social and political status. With centuries’ long history of slavery and economic deprivation, African Americans gained their first rights equivalent to Whites through thirteenth amendment. From thirteenth amendment, Harlem Renaissance, Rosa Parks Bus incident, Black Power Movement, Civil Rights Acts and then selection of Barack Obama define the struggle that African Americans have gone through in the last two centuries. Through these movements and historic events, Blacks became one step closer to complete independence and respectful social stature as the time progressed. Critical analysis of these events helps in understanding how history of African Americans has changed its outlook over the period of time and how it has transformed from slavery and literary expression to strong political influence through diplomacy and militancy. A critical analysis of African American history indicates that Blacks have gone through tedious struggle for securing fundamental human rights for themselves. One of the most important events that ensured liberty of thousands of slaves in United States was the thirteenth amendment. It can be seen that thirteenth amendment was passed right after the end of civil war. It was the time when many states promulgated Black codes to ensure regulation or termination of Black migration. In December 1865, Congress ratified thirteenth amendment which ensured abolition of slavery. This amendment was the first milestone towards complete independence of Black slaves. Apart from its individual value, this event laid down foundation for other historic events like Civil Rights Act 1867 and fourteenth amendment which provided many civil rights to African Americans (Tsesis, 2004). These measures were necessary to mitigate second citizen treatment towards former slaves. This thirteenth amendment further leads to first Reconstruction Act 1867 through which African Americans were given a right to vote. Careful analysis would indicate that thirteenth amendment guaranteed liberty of African Americans however its nature was not extensive enough to provide a complete framework that would ensure equal treatment of Blacks and Whites. Despite its premature nature, the amendment encompasses abolition of all the areas of slavery which prevented private owners to abuse any civil rights by virtue of involuntary servitude (Tsesis, 2004; Tsesis, 2007). It prohibited slaves’ owners to influence decisions like parenting, selection of partners etc. It also facilitated trade and any kind of property ownership’s transfer under the name of slaves. It was the preamble stage of a century of regulatory and legislative reforms that transformed the face of the then American constitution. Another major event in the history of African Americans was Harlem Renaissance. This movement is considered synonymous to New Negro Movement. This new Negro was well-educated, socially participative and literally sound. During this period, many writers and scholars from Black community emerged that gave new cultural identity to African Americans. This movement was a representation of new cultural outlook which removed the label of slavery and economic and educational suppression. Many writers and scholars that emerged during this period belonged to the later periods of Reconstruction era. Therefore, their parents and grandparents had witnessed slavery. The movement itself was initiated in Harlem, Manhattan which leads to this particular name as well. This place was the hub of African Americans as many Blacks settled here in the pursuit of economic development. Since jobs were plenty before Great Depression and North was considerably less racist, therefore massive migration made this place a rich community for Black representation. However, this politically unbiased movement did not remained limited to Harlem only and attracted many Black writers from other areas as well. Events like massive migration from South to urban north, increase in literacy rate in African Americans, emergence of national organizations advocating Blacks’ civil rights, redefining ‘Negro’ and transfer of Africans from Paris and Caribbean region gave this movement an international outlook (Wright, 1990). Due to its direct relation to civil rights and national organizations, it is considered as one of the most important events in literary reforms (Wright, 1990). Following Harlem Renaissance, many eminent writers like Brown, Bontemps, Hughes, McKay and Hurston appeared. Due to economic and social deprivation, literature and music appeared to be the only way of expression for Black community. Harlem Renaissance paved ways for many African American writers in coming years that used literature to create awareness in the society regarding Blacks’ rights and also shared frustration present in African Americans as a result of racist treatment. This movement is considered as one of the most influential phases in African American literature and other forms of creative arts. Other than that, many publishing houses moved their attention to Black writers even amidst Great Depression in 1930s. Various master pieces like God sends Sunday, Banjo and Cunard’s Negro appeared. Although the movement did not lead to social and political transformation as expected however it did gave reasonable representation to Black writers and established their authority in Western literature which acted as turning point in the history of African Americans (Wright, 1990). Following this strong literary movement and many other political events like integration of US armed forces by Harry Truman and abolition of racial segregation in 1940s and early 1950s, the most eminent event that showed political influence of African Americans was civil disobedience by Rosa Parks. A seemingly harmless event that only involved a Black woman reusing to give up her seat for a White citizen turned into a nationail drive leading to a bus Boycott by Blacks for 381 days (Theoharis, 2012). This is longest bus strike witnessed in the history of United States. Before this event, social segregation between Black and Whites was a norm. Even in buses, Blacks were required to sit at the back and there was a clear demarcation between Black and White areas. If seats allotted for Whites became full, Black citizens were required to either move at the end or give up their seats. On requiring giving up her bus seat, Rosa Parks refused to stand up which ultimately lead to her arrest. As a result of this protest that continued for more than a year, Supreme Court had to give a decision that banned segregation in public transport. Although this event appears to one of many deviances by Blacks in the history of African Americans however it made Blacks aware of their cumulative strength and ignited the spark for civil rights movement in 1960s making her Mother of Civil Rights Movement (Theoharis, 2012). Parks was already an eminent civil rights activist who was working for the voting rights of Blacks and against segregation laws. Therefore, her arrest gained substantial support from Montgomery community and other African Americans. During the period of bus boycott and civil disobedience, many major leaders and most importantly, young Baptist Minister Martin Luther King Junior emerged who lead a regime of non-violent protest during Parks’ case and later on as well. Following Rosa Parks arrest and continuation of civil rights movement from 1955 to 1968, a landmark event that directed to major transformation in the legislative status of African Americans was Civil Rights Act 1964 (Rodriguez & Weingast, 2003). It was a major legislative change that abolished any kind of segregation and discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion and gender. Due to this act, voting rights of African Americans were redefined and segregation at work place, schools and public services was ended. Although similar reforms were present earlier as well, however their judiciary status was rather weak to supplement independence and equal treatment of African Americans. This act was driven by fourteenth and fifteenth amendment which assured equal protection of civil rights and voting rights respectively. Although this act did not reduced difficulties for African Americans over night however it provided legal and regulatory grounds for African Americans to continue their struggle. The act was signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson but it was presented by John F. Kennedy in 1963 (Rodriguez & Weingast, 2003). It is important to note that civil rights Act 1964 was not just for African Americans only. In fact, it addressed grievances of women, socially deprived whites and other ethnic minorities and also condemned age related discrimination by nullifying many Jim Crows Laws i.e. separate but equal. However, since African American discrimination and related protests were in the limelight and formed the largest ethnic minority, Civil rights act was used by Black leaders to support their notion on political and legislative grounds. Now the struggle moved on from gaining political stature to gaining social acceptance and changing treatment towards Blacks in different areas of life. Black power movement is one of few other eminent political events in the history of Civil rights movement. In civil rights movement, Martin Luther King Jr. was the most prominent leader who was a strong believer and supporter of non-violence (Farmer & Carleton, 1985). On the other hand, Stokely Carmichael, another influential leader of African Americans who coined the term and vision of Black Power was a supporter of a forceful display for demanding rights of African Americans (Joseph, 2009). The idea behind this movement was not only to gain social and political equality but also take pride in its cultural and social values. The movement became visible in late 1960s and continued in 1970s although having its roots in 1950s. As a result of this movement, institutions supporting Blacks’ interest on political, social and cultural grounds were founded. Due to differences in fundamental doctrines, leaders of Black Power movement and Civil Rights movement parted their ways. Black Power Movement at various point in times also supported separate states and nationalism for African Americans (Carmichael et al., 2005) Although Black Nationalism was a famous concept but it did not gained support of other parties like Black Panther party instead they focused greatly on economic equality between Blacks and Whites (McCartney, 1992). After assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., Stokely Carmichael and his supporters initiated many violent riots and protested against this conspiracy. The movement managed to provide an aggressive and forceful outlook to otherwise peaceful and rather diplomatic Civil rights movement. It can be seen that due to forceful nature of this movement, legislative and regulatory bodies became supporter of Civil rights movement which helped moderate leaders indirectly to gain support for rights of Black Americans (Farmer & Carleton, 1985). This movement also paved ways for other specific movements supporting causes of other ethnic and social groups i.e. lesbians, women rights activists and other minorities (McCartney, 1992). Hence, an effective regime of social equality emerged which was supported by many Black Leaders. By virtue of helping African Americans escape from self-pity and embrace their identity with pride, Black Power Movement empowered and liberated African Americas despite its militant outlook. Participation of Malcolm X, Black Panther party, emergence of Black arts are some of the salient features of this movement (Carmichael et al., 2005) All these events represent struggle that African Americans had gone through in 19th and 20th century ultimately leading to social and economic acceptance of Blacks’ rights supported by legislation. Racism and general discrimination is still present in American society but in a highly submissive form. Contemporary historical analysis indicates that a most important event in recent African American history is Barack Obama’s selection as the President of United States of America. Considering the history of Blacks, it appears nearly impossible. However, since the outlook of American society has changed greatly therefore this election is another example of social acceptance of Blacks. Many critics argue that Barack Obama does not reflect a regular African American and widely supports the interests of Whites (Taylor, 2011). Therefore, it can be said that impacts of selection of Obama as a president are more psychological than a realistic value addition in the history of African Americans. Obama’s presidency has opened ways for selection of more Blacks at lower offices and has helped in gaining more support of white citizens for Black candidates and office holders. Hence, a politically neutral realm is established which obviously protects the interests of Black community in US as well (Reed & Louis, 2009). History of African Americans in United States has undergone various ups and downs. Historical analysis indicates that Blacks’ political and social status has shown a complete evolution in last two centuries. Although this transformation was time taking however this struggle changed social demonstration of African Americans from slaves to a community capable of leading a country. First milestone which embarked the foundation of Black independence was thirteenth amendment. From there on, a series of literary, political and cultural transformation begin. From submissive representation in society to poetic and artistic expression leading to non-violent political struggle and then militancy is a rich journey of African Americans in United States. References Carmichael, S. Wideman, J.E. & Thelwell, E.M. (2005). Ready for Revolution: The Life and Struggles of Stokely Carmichael, Scribner. Farmer, J. & Carleton, D.E. (1985). Lay Bare the Heart: An Autobiography of the Civil Rights Movement, TCU Press. Joseph, P.E. (2009). “The Black Power Movement: A State of the Field”, The Journal of American History, 96(3), pp.751-776. McCartney, J.T. (1992). Black Power Ideologies: An Essay in African-American Political Thought, Temple University Press. Reed, W.L. & Louis Jr. B.M. (2009). “No More Excuses: Problematic Responses to Barack Obama’s Election”, Journal of African American Studies, 13(2), pp. 97-109. Rodriguez, D.B. & Weingast, B.R. (2003). “The Political Theory of Legislative History: New Perspectives on the 1964 Civil Rights Act and Its Interpretation”, University of Pennsylvania Law Review, 151. Taylor, E.C. (2011). “Political Cynicism and the Black Vote”, Harvard Journal of African American Policy. Theoharis, J. (2012). “The northern promised land that wasn’t: Rosa Parks and the Black Freedom Struggle in Detroit”, OAH Magazine of History, 26(1), pp.23-27. Tsesis, A. (2004). “Furthering American Freedome: Civil Rights & the thirteenth Amendment”, Boston College Law Review, 45(2), p.307. Tsesis, A. (2011). “Congressional Authority to Interpret the Thirteenth Amendment”, Maryland Law Review, 71(1), pp. 40-59. Wright, G.C. (1990). “Review: Harlem Renaissance: Art of Black America”, The Journal of American History, 77(1), pp. 253-261. Read More