At the beginning of the 19th century the United States of America is 24 years old. In many ways it is still finding its identity, but there are some things unshakable realities in the U.S. Anti-black racism1 is endemic and systemic in 19th century United States. In fact, because the U.S. is an outgrowth of Britain, a major imperial world power, it can be said that anti-black racism is one of this nations’ congenital birth defects. For your mid-term write a 3- page essay, which analyzes three primary sources from 19th U.S. history. Describe your document/image including what year it was created, its historical context, and its anti-black, racist elements. Any of the primary sources reviewed in this class can be used as your examples. This includes laws, literature, advertisements, and art. Clearly point out anti-black, racist statements and images in your primary source and offer an interpretation (What does this mean? Who will this effect and how? What is this meant to communicate to viewer?). To support your interpretation, you can use any of the secondary sources introduced in this class (or others you may have researched). Your paper must have a work cited page and be in APA formatting. 1 Anti-black racism is defined as “Prejudice, attitudes, beliefs, stereotyping or discrimination that is directed at people of African descent and is rooted in their unique history and experience as culturally self-determined Africans, the experience of enslavement, colonization, resistance and self-determination.”
