Assignment Question
For exercise 3 you have two choices. You can either Write a one-page reflection about the Black and African American module. You can write about what you found the most interesting and any connections you can see from history and current society. OR You can submit a 30 second-1 minute video of your reflection. Discuss what you found the most interesting and any connections you can see from history and current society. This assignment is due by Sunday October 8th by 11:59pm. You will relieve feedback within a week. https://youtu.be/krfcq5pF8u8 African American History While African American history goes well beyond the experience in the United States, for this module we will focus on Black and African American experiences within the United States. To begin the section on history, you are required to read the following article: Required Reading: History copy.pdfDownload History copy.pdf Williamson-Lott, J. A., Darling-Hammond, L., & Hyler, M. E. (2012). From the “New Negro” to Civil Rights: African American Education, 1919–1945. *As you are reading take notes on important dates and information. This information will likely be on the tests. To gain some basic foundational knowledge about African American history you are required to watch the following video: Crash Course Black American History Preview. YouTube. PreviousNext https://youtu.be/xPx5aRuWCtc The Transatlantic Slave Trade and Slavery in American Colonies It is important to reiterate that African American history begins prior to the transatlantic slave trade. However, this course is focused on African American and Black experiences in the United States. As such, we will begin to explore the impact that history has on present day experiences. In this section, you are required to watch the following videos: Required Videos: The Transatlantic Slave Trade: Crash Course Black American History #1. YouTube Slavery in the American Colonies: Crash Course Black American History #2. YouTube. PreviousNext https://youtu.be/S72vvfBTQws Jim Crow and Segregation The “Jim Crow” era represents a time of explicit and system segregation that continued to oppress Black, African American, and other ethnic minority groups in the United States. During this time, laws prohibited people of color from using the same public facilities as white people. The 1896 Supreme Court case Plessy v. Ferguson upheld segregation by stating that “separate but equal” was acceptable under the constitution. Below you will find actual images that from the Jim Crow era that depict the ways in which separate was not equal. While viewing the images reflect on how these images contribute to society’s view of Blacks and African Americans as inferior to whites. What messages do these images send to those viewing them? Required Website: Visit the following link, read the information about Jim Crow and Segregation, and take notes on important events: Jim Crow HistoryLinks to an external site. After you finish reviewing the previous website and taking notes, you are required to watch the following videos: Required Videos: 1. Plessy V. Ferguson and Segregation: Crash Course. YouTube. The Jim Crow Museum. YouTube. PreviousNext Black Lives Matter and the fight against systemic racism and oppression #BlackLivesMatter was a hashtag that created a social movement. In response to the murder of Trayvon Martin, a young man murdered by a local neighborhood watchman, and subsequent not guilty verdict, the nation was once again faced with the reality of racism and the systemic oppression that led to another death of an innocent Black person. As you watch the videos below take note on how collaboration and organization can lead to social change. Required Videos: An Interview with the founders of Black Lives Matter. YouTube. Black Lives Matter: Crash Course Black How Colin Kaepernick went from football star to civil rights icon. YouTube. Shaun King: Colin Kaepernick. Democracy Now. YouTube. Optional: Ava DuVernay and Jaden Michael on Colin Kaepernick Series. YouTube. PreviousNext
Assignment Answer
In recent times, discussions about African American history have gained significant prominence, shedding light on the enduring impact of this history on contemporary society. The Black and African American module has provided a profound opportunity for reflection, prompting an exploration of the most intriguing aspects of this history and its connections to today’s world.
The journey through African American history begins with a profound examination of the transatlantic slave trade and slavery in American colonies. While acknowledging that African American history stretches beyond the United States, this course primarily focuses on the experiences within the nation. The transatlantic slave trade is a foundational element of this history, serving as a grim reminder of the inhumane treatment endured by enslaved Africans. It is essential to remember that this history does not start with slavery but rather confronts its devastating legacy.
The videos, “The Transatlantic Slave Trade: Crash Course Black American History #1” and “Slavery in the American Colonies: Crash Course Black American History #2,” offer valuable insights into the brutality of the slave trade and the harsh conditions faced by those who were enslaved. These videos effectively convey the historical context and the profound injustice that occurred during this period. It is imperative to understand this history to appreciate the struggles and resilience of African Americans in the present day.
The Jim Crow era is another pivotal period in African American history that profoundly influences contemporary society. The term “Jim Crow” is synonymous with the explicit and systematic segregation that plagued the United States. Laws enforced racial segregation, making it illegal for Black people to use the same public facilities as their white counterparts. The 1896 Supreme Court case, Plessy v. Ferguson, perpetuated segregation under the “separate but equal” doctrine.
Images from the Jim Crow era vividly depict the stark disparities between facilities for Black and white citizens. These images carry a powerful message about societal views during that time and the perception of Black and African American individuals as inferior to whites. The legacy of the Jim Crow era still resonates in the fight against systemic racism and oppression today. Reflecting on these images highlights the progress made and the work that remains in dismantling the structures of discrimination.
The website “Jim Crow History” provides a comprehensive overview of this dark period in American history. Important events and milestones during the Jim Crow era are documented, allowing for a deeper understanding of the challenges African Americans faced in their pursuit of equal rights.
“Plessy V. Ferguson and Segregation: Crash Course” and “The Jim Crow Museum” videos offer historical context and insights into the legal and societal mechanisms that perpetuated segregation. These resources emphasize the resilience of African Americans in the face of adversity and the importance of landmark legal cases in the fight for civil rights.
Moving forward in history, the emergence of the #BlackLivesMatter movement marks a significant shift in the fight against systemic racism and oppression. This hashtag, born out of the tragedy of Trayvon Martin’s murder and subsequent acquittal, ignited a social movement dedicated to addressing the racial injustices that persist in the United States.
The videos “An Interview with the founders of Black Lives Matter,” “Black Lives Matter: Crash Course Black,” and “How Colin Kaepernick went from football star to civil rights icon” provide valuable insights into the evolution of the movement and the power of collective action. These resources underline the importance of collaboration, organization, and advocacy in driving social change.
Furthermore, “Shaun King: Colin Kaepernick” and “Ava DuVernay and Jaden Michael on Colin Kaepernick Series” delve into the role of prominent figures in the fight for racial justice. Colin Kaepernick’s transition from a football star to a civil rights icon illustrates the potential for individuals to leverage their platform for meaningful change.
In conclusion, the Black and African American module has offered a compelling journey through history, from the horrors of the transatlantic slave trade to the resilience of African Americans during the Jim Crow era and the contemporary fight against systemic racism through #BlackLivesMatter. The reflection on this history underscores the importance of understanding the past to address the challenges of the present. African American history is a testament to the strength, resilience, and determination of a community that continues to shape the course of American society. It serves as a reminder that the struggle for equality is ongoing, and collective action remains a powerful tool in the pursuit of justice.
References
Williamson-Lott, J. A., Darling-Hammond, L., & Hyler, M. E. (2012). From the “New Negro” to Civil Rights: African American Education, 1919–1945. (Peer-reviewed journal article)
“The Transatlantic Slave Trade: Crash Course Black American History #1” (YouTube video)
“Slavery in the American Colonies: Crash Course Black American History #2” (YouTube video)
“Plessy V. Ferguson and Segregation: Crash Course” (YouTube video)
“The Jim Crow Museum” (YouTube video)
“An Interview with the founders of Black Lives Matter” (YouTube video)
“Black Lives Matter: Crash Course Black” (YouTube video)
“How Colin Kaepernick went from football star to civil rights icon” (YouTube video)
“Shaun King: Colin Kaepernick” (YouTube video)
“Ava DuVernay and Jaden Michael on Colin Kaepernick Series” (YouTube video)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the significance of the transatlantic slave trade in African American history?
Answer: The transatlantic slave trade was a pivotal event that forcibly brought enslaved Africans to the Americas, shaping African American history by laying the foundation for centuries of struggle and resilience.
2. How did the Jim Crow era impact African American communities?
Answer: The Jim Crow era enforced racial segregation and discrimination, perpetuating inequality and systemic racism, which continues to influence African American experiences in modern society.
3. What role did #BlackLivesMatter play in addressing racial injustices?
Answer: #BlackLivesMatter emerged as a social movement advocating for racial equality and justice in response to incidents of racial violence and discrimination, sparking a nationwide conversation on these issues.
4. Who were the key figures in the fight against systemic racism and oppression discussed in the content?
Answer: Prominent figures like Colin Kaepernick and the founders of #BlackLivesMatter played crucial roles in advocating for civil rights and challenging racial injustice in contemporary America.
5. How can understanding African American history help address present-day challenges related to racial inequality?
Answer: An understanding of African American history is essential to recognize the historical roots of racial disparities and to inform efforts to dismantle systemic racism in modern society.
