RACIAL INEQUALITY

IN THE USA
Systematic Racism in Education during the 20th century
negatively impacted the Black Community.

Poverty Trap
Consequently, due to the lack of education for the Negroes, the Black
community was mildly illiterate ,especially the younger generations.
This negatively impacted the face value of the Black Community and
made them seem as weak, lazy and separated.

Brown Decision
The Brown vs the board of education case in 1954 which overturned
the 'separate but equal' doctrine was the starting point of the
American Civil Rights Movements and Actions. Returning war
veterans, after the WWII also felt they had earned the right to be
treated equally.

Social Segregation
Denial of opportunities and resources, including quality textbooks, science labs, and extracurricular
activities. Segregation also affected higher education, with many colleges and universities refusing to
admit African American students. Those that did often imposed strict quotas and limited their access to
certain programs or facilities.

In addition to these institutional barriers, African American students also faced harassment, intimidation,
and violence from white students and teachers. This created a hostile and unsafe learning environment
that made it difficult for them to succeed academically.

Despite these challenges, African American communities fought tirelessly for educational equity and
access. Through legal challenges, grassroots organizing, and activism, they slowly began to chip away at
the system of segregation and discrimination in American education. The landmark 1954 Supreme Court
case Brown v. Board of Education marked a turning point in the struggle for civil rights, ruling that
segregation in public schools was unconstitutional and paving the way for greater integration and equality
in education.

Unemployment
As a result of systematic racism, Black individuals were often
denied access to higher education and higher-paying jobs.
This, in turn, contributed to higher unemployment rates for
Black communities. Even when Black individuals were able to
obtain employment, they often faced discrimination and were
limited in their opportunities for career advancement.

References
Ramsey, S. (2020). The Troubled History of American Education after the Brown Decision. Courtesy Library of Congress.
https://www.oah.org/tah/issues/2017/february/the-troubled-history-of-american-education-after-the-brown-
decision/(03/05/2023)