African American Struggles Analysis

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The chapter provides great insight into the chronological events & history of the African American struggle in this country. Below are some of the critical items we both agreed we needed to share with everyone.
- More than two centuries ago, African Americans measured 60% of a Caucasian for accounting purposes. In a 2004 study that number had only risen to 73%.
- Fewer than half African American families own their own homes, compared to over 70% of whites. They are denied mortgages and home improvement loans at twice the rate of whites but African American home ownership rates are rising & overall buying power is increasing.
- African Americans are twice as likely to die from disease, accident, and homicide at every stage of life.
- Life
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Other important observations we made with regards to the African America struggle is how unique it was in terms of utilizing the non violent approach (Martin Luther King & Rosa Parks). Truly there is power with the people in this day and age to use non violence & civil disobedience as means of bringing about change. The non violence or “Ahimsa” way is very powerful tool, especially in the context of the race based struggle. We also concluded that the rest of the ethnicities residing in America and just Americans in general, owe a debt to the African American community for enhancing the civil liberties afforded to everybody in the United States of America. In our present times, racism or prejudice is more subtle and veiled, which makes it more difficult to counter. Racism is taking on not just ethnic/social classifications but also economic differences. The media plays a very negative role most of the times, in most cases they appeal to the sensation factor rather than helping promote meaningful dialogue and critical thinking. We think that the main challenges of today lie in fighting racism & prejudice of the mind & promoting critical thinking. The goal of the struggle a now should be to free the mind of