•How has the American history of African slavery influenced our contemporary society? Provide three examples you believe to be most significant.
I am sure that you will be able to find some ideas at these sites:
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&source=hp&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=How+has+the+American+history+of+African+slavery+influenced+our+contemporary+society%3F+&btnG=Google+Search
The American history of African slavery has had a profound and lasting impact on contemporary society. Here are three significant examples:
1. Racial Inequality: Slavery laid the foundation for racial inequality and prejudice that continues to persist in contemporary society. The legacies of slavery, such as segregation, discrimination, and systemic racism, have contributed to disparities in education, employment, housing, and criminal justice, among other aspects. These disparities have resulted in ongoing social and economic disadvantages for African Americans.
To understand this impact, you can delve into the history of the Jim Crow era, the Civil Rights Movement, and the ongoing struggle for racial equality. It is important to learn about redlining, voter suppression, the school-to-prison pipeline, and other mechanisms that perpetuate racial inequality.
2. Cultural Heritage and Identity: The forced migration and enslavement of millions of Africans resulted in the loss of their original cultures, languages, and connections to their ancestral land. However, African Americans developed a rich and vibrant culture in the face of adversity, including arts, music (such as the blues, jazz, and hip-hop), literature, cuisine, and religious practices (like the African diaspora religions). This enduring cultural legacy has contributed to shaping American society as a whole.
To understand this impact, you can explore the works of African American artists, musicians, writers, and intellectuals who have made significant contributions to American culture. You can also explore the concept of Afrofuturism, which reimagines African and African American identity and culture beyond the confines of historical oppression.
3. Advancements in the Civil Rights Movement: The history of African slavery in America has inspired resilience, resistance, and social activism among African Americans. The struggle for freedom and equal rights laid the groundwork for pivotal moments in the Civil Rights Movement, such as the abolitionist movement, the Underground Railroad, the efforts of notable figures like Frederick Douglass and Harriet Tubman, the Montgomery Bus Boycott, the March on Washington, and the achievements of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
To understand this impact, you can study the tactics, leaders, and milestones of the Civil Rights Movement by examining primary sources, speeches, and writings. It is important to recognize the ongoing work for equal rights and social justice carried out by activists and organizations today.
By grasping the historical context and ongoing consequences of African slavery in America, we can better understand and address the complexities of racial inequality and work towards building a more equitable society.