Racism Vs Reconstruction

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In 1865, the U. S. officially abolished slavery with the 13th amendment. However free blacks in the south were not safe after the war. During the Reconstruction period, 1865 to 1877, blacks became recognized as citizens and were given “equal protection” in the 14th Amendment. In 1870, blacks were legally eligible to vote. The reconstruction period was a very difficult transitional period, because many southerners disregarded blacks’ rights. Furthermore, largely due to sharecropping and restrictive black codes, black citizens had a difficult time merging into the post-war economy. In the short term, besides giving black citizens a little hope for their futures, the Reconstruction did little good. Whites quickly regained their supremacy and pride over the African Americans. Furthermore, racist groups such as the Klu Klux Klan continued to mistreat blacks for years. Not until the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960’s did the remaining discrimination and racism decrease greatly. These final political achievements helped blacks politically and socially. Though the majority of discrimination against African Americans has ceased, some racism continues to linger on. America’s ever-present struggle with racism is never completely behind us. Furthermore, it is …show more content…

This controversy over this case reflects the racial tensions between the african american population and the white city government and law enforcement. In the week following the shooting, local citizens led protests and even violent riots. Both the media and many politicians question the reaction of the Ferguson government and law enforcement. Recently, Jay Nixon the Governor of Missouri requested local police departments to let the Missouri State Highway Patrol serve temporally as local law enforcement. Many, primarily civil protests continued several weeks after the

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