African Americans at the Millennium

1980-2010Socioeconomic Disparity

Health IssuesCulture

A QuoteO “African America is bound together

not only in celebration of a common culture and individual achievement, but also by a sense of otherness and threat.” – p.570

O Write a response identifying the celebrations and struggles African Americans face today;

High Achieving Blacks

O Many new faces have joined the ranks of “high achieving blacks in the US through their roles in entertainment, education, sports and government.

Economic Security O Anti-discrimination laws and Affirmative

Action opens doors to white collar positions for black men and women in the US;

O 1940: Only 5.2% (men) / 6.4% (women) O 2000: 35.3% (men) / 62.3% (women)

O Average wealth still far behind – Why?O Heritage of povertyO Economic downturn in 2009 Hits blacks

hard 16% unemployment vs. 9% white

Persistence of PovertyO Although many blacks saw increases in

income by 2000, many remained in poverty.O Urban neighborhoods lack social & economic

opportunities.O Southern rural areas become mechanized

O Children heavily impacted by poverty;O In 2008, more than 55% of all blacks under

18 lived in one parent households.O Single parent households frequently suffer

from low income, meager public assistance, poor housing and inferior schools.

Incarceration: A Racial Study

O From 1954 to 2005, the black prison population increased 900% (98,000 to 910,000)

O Blacks make up 46% of the prison population, yet only make up 12% of the US population.O The largest # of black women in

prison are between 30-44 in age / men are 20-35 in age.

The Health GapO Cancer & HIV – greatest threat

O Black men are more likely to develop cancer and die within 5 years of diagnosis at much higher rates then whites.O Smoking, drinking, obesity and ignorance

of health care are large causesO African Americans are the most likely

racial group in the US to have HIV/AIDS.O The announcement by Magic Johnson in

1991, and deaths of Arthur Ashe in 1993 and Easy-E in 1995 dramatically raised awareness.

Art & CultureO Since the 1980’s, African Americans

have had a cultural renaissance.O PlaywrightsO AuthorsO FilmO Music

O Differed from the 1960’s and 1970’s because it was open and inclusive to women and gay/lesbian.

Hip-Hop: A Distinctly Black Art Form

O Most commercially successful genre of black music.

O 1973 O Kool Herc in South BronxO Afrika Bambaataa and the Zulu Nation

O 1979O Rapper’s Delight- Sugar Hill GangO The Message- Grand Master Flash & The Furious 5

O Early forms of spoken word, along with early blues, jazz, rock, soul and bee-bop contributed to the Hip-Hop movement.