Essay 4

Simret Mulugeta

Eng 111

Prof: Ishai Barnoy

                                                       African Americans Rights

The African- American history is a long and troubled story, since the early 1600’s black people have been plucked from their native lands, treated like property, and forced to work on plantations. Eventually African-Americans were free from slavery in the 1800’s, but they were still treated dreadfully. For instance, Black people didn’t have rights to use the same restrooms as whites, to drink from the same water fountains as whites, and eat in the same restaurant with whites. Also, they didn’t have as many job opportunities, but even if they had one, they wouldn’t receive equal salary as whites. On the other hand, African-Americans were made fun of in the mainstream media, and were not even considered human. African Americans were also in constant fear of being lynched by angry mobs and when they would protest against these crimes they would be beaten and hosed down. The schooling systems for African-Americans were very bad; they had second-hand textbooks, limited supplies, and very few teachers.  In addition they had segregated schools which meant black kids could not mix with the white kids. Moreover, slave masters would make sure the slaves wouldn’t know how to read or write, which contributed to the fact that many African-Americans were poor and uneducated. In general they had few rights and very few opportunities to succeed professionally.However, this has changed over time. Since the 1960’s African Americans have been fighting for equal rights and they have succeeded in doing so. Martin Luther King Jr is one of the many civil rights activists who made a huge impact in civil rights reforms; he helped to get the Civil Rights Act passed. During the time of such movements other African-Americans and some whites also involved themselves in “Freedom Rides.” A group of students and people gathered up and made a plan to desegregate the public buses, restaurants, and any other facilities that were extremely separated. By any means they did not use physical force; instead they used peaceful demonstrations of their rights. Due to the struggles, battles, and obstacles many of these African-Americans faced, our society is excelling in the professional world. In addition, we have African Americans working as scientists, doctors, actors, and athletes, astronauts, etc. We’ve come a long way from fighting for basic rights like eating in the same restaurants or drinking from the same fountains as whites. Now we have an African American president, which wouldn’t have been possible 60 years ago. We can go to the same schools as white people, and also have the same professions. During different incidents that occurred in the past several years that affected America greatly, people forgot about race and skin color and just cared about helping their fellow Americans. In our society today, we are no longer kept divided by race, religion, or culture; instead America has truly been united as one. The view of African Americans as a whole has changed greatly in the last couple of years. We’ve gone from being treated like animals and objects to a well loved and respected human race.  There is need to acknowledge that the one race that should exist is the human race, people should not be divided by skin color, religion, or culture. One need to keep in mind that although we have made many improvements in the way African-American community treated in the U.S., there are still many obstacles that we have yet to overcome. There are many things that need to be fixed and corrected like the issues of immigration. America has always known to be the only country that would receive people from every nation with open arms. In fact many people are here as a result of wanting freedom, great education, and better opportunities to better themselves. With America being one of the few countries that offers benefits without any complaints as long as her citizens and residents are legal, it is very possible to succeed and advance into a better future. With technology and inventions we are advancing way more than we have in the past. Americans are not in denial of some of the racial obstacles we still have to improve, every American is aware of the areas that need improvement and some are even willing to educate themselves and cooperate to learn other people’s cultures and differences. Now better than before, in honoring the past, celebrating the present, and hoping for a better future, we will overcome the hurdles of racism.