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Race and Class in African American Politics

Greg Foster

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Published in Behind The Mule: Race And Class In African American Politics

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The history of African American politics in the United States is a complex and dynamic one, marked by both progress and setbacks. From the abolition of slavery to the Civil Rights Movement to the present day, race and class have played a central role in shaping the political experiences and outcomes of African Americans.

Behind the Mule: Race and Class in African-American Politics

by Michael C. Dawson

4.6 out of 5

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The Legacy of Slavery

The legacy of slavery in the United States has had a profound impact on African American politics. For centuries, African Americans were denied the basic rights of citizenship, including the right to vote. This disenfranchisement was a key tool used to maintain white supremacy and to prevent African Americans from participating in the political process.

After the Civil War, the passage of the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments to the Constitution granted African Americans citizenship and the right to vote. However, these rights were often denied in practice, as white Southerners used violence and intimidation to suppress African American voter turnout.

The Rise of Jim Crow

The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw the rise of Jim Crow laws, which legalized racial segregation and discrimination in the South. These laws made it difficult for African Americans to exercise their political rights, as they were often denied access to voting booths, jury service, and other forms of political participation.

The Jim Crow era also saw the rise of the Ku Klux Klan, a white supremacist terrorist organization that used violence and intimidation to terrorize African Americans and prevent them from exercising their political rights.

The Civil Rights Movement

The Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s was a pivotal moment in the history of African American politics. Led by figures such as Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, and Rosa Parks, the movement fought to end segregation and discrimination and to secure the civil rights of African Americans.

The Civil Rights Movement achieved a number of important victories, including the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. These laws outlawed racial discrimination and made it easier for African Americans to register to vote and participate in the political process.

The Era of Black Power

The Civil Rights Movement was followed by the era of Black Power, which emerged in the late 1960s and early 1970s. This movement focused on black self- empowerment and self-determination, and it advocated for a more aggressive approach to fighting racial inequality.

Black Power activists embraced a variety of strategies, including armed self-defense, economic development, and political mobilization. They also called for increased black representation in government and in other positions of power.

The New Black Politics

The 1970s and 1980s saw the emergence of the New Black Politics, which focused on electoral politics and the importance of black representation in government. This movement was led by a new generation of African American politicians, such as Jesse Jackson, Harold Washington, and Maxine Waters.

New Black Politics activists believed that by increasing the number of African Americans in elected office, they could make government more responsive to the needs of the black community. They also argued that black representation was essential for achieving racial equality.

The Obama Era

The election of Barack Obama as president in 2008 was a historic moment for African American politics. Obama was the first African American to be elected president of the United States, and his election was seen as a sign of the progress that had been made in the fight for racial equality.

However, Obama's presidency also highlighted the ongoing challenges faced by African Americans in the United States. The election of Donald Trump in 2016, and the rise of the alt-right, has led to a resurgence of white nationalism and racism.

The Future of African American Politics

The future of African American politics is uncertain. However, there is no doubt that race and class will continue to play a major role in shaping the political experiences and outcomes of African Americans.

As the United States becomes increasingly diverse, African Americans will continue to play a vital role in the nation's political landscape. By working together, African Americans can continue to overcome the challenges they face and build a more just and equitable society for all.

Behind the Mule: Race and Class in African-American Politics

by Michael C. Dawson

4.6 out of 5