WS: Black Americans Mostly Left Behind? PDF

WS: Black Americans mostly left behind? The protests were a sign of profound citizen anger about a nation that was moving toward On Apr. 4, 1968, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr....

WS: Black Americans mostly left behind? The protests were a sign of profound citizen anger about a nation that was moving toward On Apr. 4, 1968, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. two societies, one black, one white — was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee, separate and unequal. […] while assisting striking 1sanitation workers. In some ways, we’ve barely 8budged 9as a Back then, a half century ago, the wholesale people. Poverty is still too common in the U.S. 2 racial integration required 3by the 1964 Civil In 1968, 25 million Americans — roughly 13 Rights Act was just beginning to chip away at percent of the population— lived below 4 discrimination in education, jobs and public poverty level. In 2016, 43.1 million — or more facilities. Black voters had only obtained legal than 12.7 percent— do. protections two years earlier, and the 1968 Fair Housing Act was about to 5become law. Today’s black poverty rate 10of 22 percent is almost 11three times that of whites. Compared African Americans were only beginning to to the 1968 rate of 32 percent, there’s not move into neighborhoods, colleges and been a huge improvement. […] careers once 6reserved for whites only. There are, of course, positive trends. Today, I’m too young to remember those days. But far more African Americans graduate from hearing my parents talk about the late 1960s, college — 38 per-cent— than they did 50 it sounds in some ways like another world. years ago. Numerous African Americans now hold positions of power, from mayor to governor to Our incomes 12are also way up. Black adults corporate chief executive — and, yes, once experienced a more significant income upon a time, president. The U.S. is a very increase from 1980 to 2016 — from $28,667 different place than it was in 1968. to $39,490 — than any other U.S. demographic group. This, in part, is why Or is it?, today we are still fighting many of the there’s now a significant black middle class. same battles as Dr. King did in his day. […] Progress has been made. Just not as The 1960s were tumultuous years indeed. much as many of us would like. Sharon During the long, hot summers from 1965 to Austin, Black Americans mostly left behind by 1968, American cities saw approximately 150 progress since Dr. King’s death. race riots 7and other uprisings. The Conversation, February 7, 2018 1 En grève 7 Émeutes 2 En masse 8 A peine 3 Demandé par… 9 Changer d’avis 4 Réduire progressivement 10 Taux 5 Etait sur le point de 11 Presque 6 Autrefois 12 Revenus WS: Black Americans mostly left behind? On April 4, 1968, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. angry because life was unfair. At that time, the was killed in Memphis, Tennessee. He was country was becoming “two societies, one there to help sanitation workers on strike. Black, one white — separate and unequal.” In 1964, the Civil Rights Act became law. This In some ways, not much has changed. In law started to reduce unfair treatment in 1968, about 25 million people (13% of schools, jobs, and public places. By 1968, Americans) were poor. In 2016, the number Black people were still fighting for equal was 43.1 million people (12.7%). rights. That year, the Fair Housing Act The poverty rate iiifor Black people in 1968 became law, stopping discrimination in was 32%. Now it is 22%, but this is still almost housingi. three times higher ivthan for white people. In the 1960s, African Americans started There are some good changes. More African moving into places, schools, and jobs that Americans finish college vtoday — 38%. This were only for white people before. It was a big is a big improvement from 50 years ago. change. Also, incomes vifor Black people have grown. I was not alive in the 1960s, but my parents From 1980 to 2016, the average income went tell me it was a very different time. Today, from $28,667 to $39,490. This is a big many African Americans have important jobs, increase and helped create a strong Black like mayors, governors, and business leaders. middle class. Once, there was even a Black president. The U.S. is very different now. Progress has been made, but there is still vii more work to do. But is it really? Some things have changed, but many problems are still the same. The Conversation, February 7, 2018 The 1960s were difficult years. From 1965 to 1968, there were about 150 riots iiand protests in cities across America. People were very Before Now i Logement ii Emeutes iii Taux iv Trois fois plus v Université vi Revenus vii Encore