A Century of Change: Examining Racial Narratives in America

This is part eight of our ongoing series "That Was A Long Time Ago'. We are now moving into the Jim Crow era and its impact on shaping the present day

From Emancipation to 1964: A Hundred-Year Journey

As we leap from 1865 to 1964, reflecting on the century that has passed, we confront the stark realities faced by newly freed slaves. Promises of reparations like "forty acres and a mule" went unfulfilled, leaving many to fend for themselves in a world that offered little more than the daunting ultimatum to "root hog or die." Land grants afforded to other groups were notably absent for them. But, as some argue, this was long ago, and there's a reluctance to be held accountable for the past. They look to transfer the shame of the past instead of owning it. The sentiment echoes, “Why bring up old grievances? Get over it.”

Triumphs Amidst Adversity

Yet, in the face of adversity, Black Americans demonstrated a remarkable resilience and capacity to thrive. They built flourishing communities, crafted an independent economy, and formed strong nuclear families. They succeeded in the capitalist framework, despite the greatest threats to their pursuit of life, liberty, prosperity, and happiness originating from external forces. The 15th Amendment's promises of equal protection often rang hollow.

A Dual Role in Nation Building

While cultivating their community, African Americans also contributed significantly to the nation’s development, often seeing their labor exploited. There's a pervasive myth that Blacks are lazy, a narrative that has no basis in reality and has been disproven time and again.

Hollywood’s Role in Shaping Perceptions

The origins of this damaging stereotype can be traced back to Hollywood. The portrayal of Black characters as lazy, unmotivated, unreliable, and dim-witted served as comedic relief on a superficial level, but also reinforced harmful stereotypes, supporting systemic racism and perpetuating discriminatory practices. This portrayal bolstered notions of White supremacy and marginalized Black people, particularly men, casting them as simple and childlike.

One such character was Stepin Fetchit, often labeled as the laziest man in the world. As time went on, this shiftless persona morphed into the "trickster" archetype, a figure from mythology known for using cunning or secret knowledge to gain an advantage. This reimagining carried its own set of derogatory implications, suggesting Blacks were deceivers of low character and morale.

A Lasting Impact on Justice

These skewed perceptions have dire consequences. When a Black man enters the courtroom, he often faces prejudiced assumptions of guilt. Phrases like, "You know how they are," underline the bias that eradicates the presumption of innocence.

Moving Forward

It’s crucial to contrast these misrepresentations with those of other ethnic groups, and to continue addressing the deep-seated narratives that influence societal attitudes. Today there are judgements being made without proper historical context. There is also a lack of understanding of how those obstacles still exist today and in what form.