University:
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Course:
HIST 1160 | U.S. History to 1865
Academic year:

2024
Views:

324

Pages:

4
Author:

Harsh P.

Lecture Notes: Racism in the United States I. Introduction ● Definition of Racism: The belief that one race is superior to others, leading to discrimination, prejudice, and systemic inequalities. ● Scope of Lecture: Examining the historical roots, forms, and consequences of racism in the United States. II. Historical Context A. Early Colonization (1600s-1700s) ● Arrival of European settlers and their interactions with indigenous populations. ● Introduction of slavery and the emergence of race-based hierarchy. B. Slavery and the Civil War (1800s) ● Expansion of slavery and its economic significance. ● The abolitionist movement and the Civil War (1861-1865) leading to the Emancipation Proclamation (1863) and the 13th Amendment (1865). C. Reconstruction Era (1865-1877) ● Efforts to integrate formerly enslaved African Americans into society. ● Rise of the Ku Klux Klan and the rollback of civil rights gains. D. Jim Crow Era (Late 19th to Mid-20th Century) ● Legalized segregation, voter suppression, and systemic discrimination. ● Plessy v. Ferguson (1896) and its "separate but equal" doctrine. E. Civil Rights Movement (1950s-1960s) ● Figures like Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks. ● Key events: Montgomery Bus Boycott, March on Washington, Civil Rights Act (1964), and Voting Rights Act (1965). III. Modern Forms of Racism A. Institutional Racism ● Discrimination embedded in institutions and policies. ● Examples: Redlining, school funding disparities, criminal justice system bias. B. Structural Racism ● Racial disparities in employment, education, housing, and healthcare. ● Impact of systemic inequalities on communities of color. C. Colorblind Racism ● Denial or minimization of racial inequalities. ● Belief in a "post-racial" society as a barrier to addressing racism. D. Microaggressions ● Subtle, everyday acts of discrimination. ● Impact on mental health and well-being. IV. Contemporary Issues A. Police Brutality and Racial Profiling ● High-profile cases like George Floyd and Breonna Taylor. ● Calls for police reform and defunding. B. Voter Suppression ● Efforts to restrict minority voting rights. ● Supreme Court decisions like Shelby County v. Holder (2013). C. Mass Incarceration ● Disproportionate incarceration of people of color. ● The school-to-prison pipeline and mandatory minimum sentences. D. Racial Disparities in Health ● Impact of COVID-19 on communities of color. ● Healthcare access and disparities in health outcomes. V. Intersectionality ● Recognizing the overlapping effects of racism with other forms of oppression (sexism, classism, etc.). ● Kimberly Crenshaw's concept of intersectionality. VI. Movements for Change A. Black Lives Matter (BLM) ● Origins and goals of the BLM movement. ● Impact on public discourse and policy changes. B. Allyship and Solidarity ● The role of allies in combating racism. ● White privilege and the responsibility to educate oneself. VII. Conclusion ● Ongoing struggle against racism in the United States. ● The importance of education, advocacy, and collective action in achieving racial equity.