Study Questions

  1. What led to the end of de jure segregation? When answering, address broad social changes (e.g., industrialization) as well as changes created by collective action.
  2. Compare the Civil Rights Movement to the Black Power Movement. How were they similar? How were they different? How does Black Lives Matter compare to the earlier movements? When answering, consider philosophies, tactics, leaders, and the greater social context.
  3. Explain the most critical issues related to Black–White relations since the 1960s, including (a) the relationship between the criminal justice system and the Black community, (b) class and gender inequality within the Black community, (c) family forms, (d) new racial identities, (e) prejudice, and (f) individual and institutional forms of discrimination.
  4. Analyze the contemporary situation of African Americans using the concepts of assimilation and pluralism, especially in terms of acculturation, secondary structural assimilation, and primary structural assimilation.
  5. Are African American women a “minority group within a minority group?” Explain.
  6. An old saying is, “When America catches a cold, African Americans get pneumonia.” Based on this chapter, would you say that’s mostly true or untrue? Why? Use evidence from this chapter (and others) in your answer.
  7. What are the implications of increasing class differences among African Americans?
  8. Regarding contemporary Black–White relations, is the glass half empty or half full? Discuss at least three areas of social life (e.g., education) when answering.