Black America: Moving Forward
Black Americans are one of the most stigmatized groups in the nation. While most of the American population is well aware of the setbacks this group has encountered historically, it seems as though only a few are aware of the fast pace at which our social attitudes have greatly improved, and of the short amount of time it has taken Black Americans to be able to experience more authentic standards of equality. Imported as slaves and laborers in the 1600’s, the first black Americans came from Africa, and were treated as property by much of the white population. Since these inhumane times, both the standards of the black community and the attitudes of the country as a whole have changed drastically. It's important to recognize the remarkable social and economic imprint that Black Americans are making, as the entire nation moves towards overall improvement.
Following both the endurance and abolishment of slavery in the later 1800’s, Black Americans continued to encounter many obstacles because of their slavery embedded roots. The well known issues of segregation and discrimination proposed many new obstacles upon their new found, and rightfully granted, liberty. The limitations of their past also affected them in terms of their knowledge, education, and their experiences. During the early to mid 1900’s when segregation was most prominent, finding a source of employment and income was very difficult. More often than not, their level of education only allowed for low paying jobs like laborers. Many women (about 60 percent) found source of employment as domestic servants (Zuckerman). Children, as much as 25 percent, were not enrolled in school. Instead they worked a full time, 55 hour week doing manual labor (Thomas 95). The dire need of supplement income often came at the expensive of the children’s education, and prevented them from receiving the schooling necessary to acquire a good paying job in the future. As a result of this inevitable rotation of setbacks, Black Americans regularly found themselves doing everything possible to simply survive. And while living a life in poverty, they remained an unforeseen seed in the eyes of the economy. The new life of liberty in the free world proposed a great challenge. By today’s standards, the black society has significantly progressed. Particularly, exponential growth has been made in the realm of education. As of 2003 more than half (58.3 percent) of Black Americans had enrolled into college within a year of receiving their high school diploma (US Society African Americans). Of all of them within the work force (ages 25-64) only 10 percent did not hold an education level equivalent to at least a high school diploma (African American). It’s without question that Black Americans have made enormous advancements in education. By cultural standards however, education goes hand in hand with employment. It is in part because of this relationship that the work force has substantially benefited, improved, and progressed as well. The same 60 percent of females that were holding positions as servants 60 years earlier are now holding highly reputable, white collar jobs (Zuckerman). Recent statistics even show that the current overall employment rate for Black American’s is 75 percent, just two percent lower than White Americans at 77 percent (Harris). Not only do these accomplishments express the great levels of educational growth accomplished by Black Americans, but more importantly, it highlights the progress and positive changes that have been made throughout the rest of the country, and in the financial market of the nation.
In part this large impact we’re seeing today is also due to the dramatic adjustments Black Americans have demanded in the attitudes of the other, particularly white, American citizens. In the 1950’s, 55 percent of whites believed that back Americans should not be offered the same job opportunities. However, when this same question was asked only two and a half decades later in 1975, 97 percent of whites claimed to believe in equal opportunity (Zuckerman). If the subjects of the questionnaire given in 1975 had been lying about their true beliefs in equal opportunity, then the statistics are corrupt. However, regardless of how honest the subjects were, it’s significant to note that the overall indication, which strongly alludes to the fact that the attitudes of White Americans have changed dramatically, remains unscathed.
The education and income market are not the only places African Americans have embossed this country. Spectator entertainment has always provided a wide range of enjoyment by means of thrills and pleasure for the American public. In 1954 it was reported that of the 72,400 full time employees working in television, less than 200 of them were black (MacDonald 247). In today’s day and age, Black Americans are a top contributor to this industry. Some of the most well known entertainers include musician Michael Jackson, basketball player Michael Jordan, television host Oprah Winfrey, comedian Bill Cosby, baseball player Sammy Sosa, actor Will Smith, and professional golfer Tiger Woods. Each one of these well known entertainers are Black Americans, and viewed upon as role models by millions of people across the entire country.
Standing as proof of a changing society that’s tackled the many ethnicities of the county, much of the influential aspects we are seeing include social changes to the Black community as well. Professional Tiger Woods is a great example of exactly this concept in the entertainment industry. Wood’s professional career took off in 1996, at a time where there were only about 500,000 professional black golfers. Due to his representation and influence, over the optimal course of his career, the number of black golfers rose exponentially nearing 1,500,000 (Evans). As with Wood's, the vast majority of blacks excelling in the entertainment industry are not only proof of their own personal and cultural excellence and liberal growth, but as a part in the whole economy. Country wide they are overtaking, influencing and setting standards for many of the things that Americans enjoy and support; entertainment. It is America’s favorite past time.
Just as they did in the times of slavery and forced immigration, Black Americans continue to leave a mark on the nation. Not only have they progressed in terms of their education and job fulfillments, but accordingly as citizens, in status, and in the entertainment industries. With such substantial changes already being made, we can only expect further progression from Black Americans as individuals and as a group in its entirety. After all, with the first time ever black president we are experiencing history as we know it. A larger imprint and continual shaping of America in the future is only to be expected.
Works Cited
(images from Google Images)
(images from Google Images)
