[Angela F.]

I am an African-American college student, and I have noticed that a lot of whites and other non-blacks have many misconceptions about the effects of slavery, as well as legal and de facto segregation in the black community. In fact, I have noticed that most non-blacks believe that disfranchisement, separate and unequal schools, and housing and job discrimination that lasted until the 1960s had absolutely no impact on the black community. Do non-blacks think that segregation was a “minor” setback over which blacks should have easily and quickly recovered? To me, most non-blacks think of segregation as being in the past, completely ignoring any long-term detrimental effects on the black community. Why is that?

User Detail :  

Name : Angela F., Gender : F, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : Black/African American, Religion : Christian, Age : 20, City : Atlanta, State : GA, Country : United States, Occupation : Student, Education level : 2 Years of College, Social class : Middle class, 

[Linda22703]

I think to a certian extent it is true that non-blacks do not understand the lasting effects of slavery, like men don’t understand the effects of sexism on women, like non-Asians don’t understand the effects of segregation and racism on Asians, like non-indigenous people don’t understand the effects racism and treaty-breaking have on indigenous people, and so on. I think more and more people are trying to understand. The reasons they don’t, can’t or refuse to look past their own experiences will vary with each person.

I believe the effects of slavery are with us now, but I find that when this subject is brought up, it is not enough that I try to understand; I am made to feel as if I should vilify all whites for European colonialization and slavery and vilify all children, present and future, for the legacy of slavery and the sins of all who participated or kept quiet post-Civil War. This I won’t do.

User Detail :  

Name : Linda22703, Gender : F, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : White/Caucasian, Religion : Catholic, City : San Diego, State : CA, Country : United States, Occupation : Government, Education level : 4 Years of College, 

[SR28489]

I don’t think segregation was a minor setback, and I would be very surprised if I heard someone say that. However, until something is brought to your attention, you’re going to be incognizant. Why are minorities so much more aware of racism? Because minorities are the ones who experience it. So often, slavery and (de)segregation are presented as chapters in history books that don’t explore the long-term effects of either. If a white person (or another non-black) doesn’t learn about it in school or experience it firsthand, their views could become skewed (understandably). Some people grow aware. Some don’t.

User Detail :  

Name : SR28489, Gender : F, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : White/Caucasian, Religion : Agnostic, Age : 21, City : Austin, State : TX, Country : United States, Occupation : Student, 

[Linda]

I think to a certain extent it is true that non-blacks do not understand the lasting effects of slavery, the same way men don’t understand the effects of sexism on women, non-Asians don’t understand the effects of segregation and racism on Asians, non-indigenous people don’t understand the effects racism and treaty breaking on indigenous people, and so on. I think more and more people are trying to understand. The reasons some don’t, can’t or refuse to look past their own experiences vary with each person. I believe the effects of slavery are with us now, but I find that when this subject is brought up, it is not enough that I try to understand; I am made to feel as if I should vilify all whites for European colonialization and slavery and vilify all children present and future for the legacy of slavery and the sins of all who participated or kept quiet post-Civil War. This I won’t do.

User Detail :  

Name : Linda, Gender : F, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : White/Caucasian, Religion : Catholic, City : San Diego, State : CA, Country : United States, Occupation : Government employee, Education level : 4 Years of College, 

[Stacey27921]

For American society to admit there are long-term detrimental effects of slavery and segregation would require that, as moral beings, society do something to diminish those effects. The whole affirmative action debate is really about diminishing the effects of unjust actions and limitations established by the government and society against specific groups.

Like you, I get the sense that some people voice concerns about segregation and slavery; but they seem to think that when these constraints were done away with, a magic wand erased all of the effects. No way! The endless light-skinned/dark-skinned debate is steeped in the slave system, which rewarded the more European-looking slaves with more pleasant work duties, and often an education. The underperformance of our black youths in the school system today is born out of generations of undereducated families who valued working for money much more than the longer-term delayed rewards that might come from a higher education.

Examples are endless, but yes, someone else out here agrees with you that blacks have really only been “free” in this country for about 30 years. And 30 years does not the results of a century erase.

User Detail :  

Name : Stacey27921, Gender : F, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : Black/African American, Religion : Christian, Age : 33, City : New York City, State : NY, Country : United States, Occupation : Teacher, Education level : Over 4 Years of College, Social class : Middle class, 

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