African Americans And Identity Of African American

In the year of 1619, the largest oppressive legal structure in American History came about, the institution of slavery. Although slavery was abolished in the year of 1865, African Americans are still enslaved by intuitional racism. There are systems in place to keep minorities at a disadvantage. This system of oppression is carried by a number of factors such as; the segregation of black people in urban areas referred to as ghettos, mass incarceration rate for people of color, large educational gaps and killing of innocent lives with no justice. This system of oppression continues the frustrating living conditions for black people, and continues to make being black in America a constant struggle. Culture impacts circumstance and circumstance influences identity which can be either beneficial or detrimental. Ones’ overcoming of their circumstance will lead them to be identified as a conqueror. This can be detrimental because it gives an incorrect scope of ones true identity. Th e focus of this paper will be on the lives and identity of African American. In todays society what does it mean to be black? To be identified as African American. What does it mean to be black in America? How does culture impact circumstance and influence identity? In order to understand and answer these questions one must go back to the early 16th century when the first African slaves were bought to America. In 1619, the Dutch introduced the first captured Africans to America planting the seeds of aShow MoreRelatedAfrican American Identity2425 Words   |  10 Pagessources of African American identity? The Discovery of African American Identity In the 1900s African American have slowly started to gain their rights after the end of slavery. It was a difficult and tedious process; however, they never gave up on what they believed in, which is â€Å"racial equality†. 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