Racial discrimination

Definition

Racial discrimination is the unfair treatment of individuals based on their race or ethnicity, often leading to systemic inequalities in various aspects of life such as employment, education, and social status. This term encompasses not only individual acts of prejudice but also institutional practices that maintain racial hierarchies and disadvantage marginalized groups. In the context of the lives of historical figures, it reveals how societal norms and laws were structured to perpetuate oppression.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Racial discrimination was legally sanctioned in the United States during the colonial period and persisted through various laws that marginalized African Americans.
2. Phillis Wheatley, as a free Black woman and a poet, faced racial discrimination that limited her access to publishing opportunities and societal acceptance despite her talent.
3. Jupiter Hammon was one of the first published African American poets and wrote during a time when slavery was still legal, highlighting the complexities of racial identity and freedom.
4. Both Wheatley and Hammon navigated a society steeped in racism, where their literary accomplishments were often overshadowed by their race.
5. The experiences of Wheatley and Hammon underscore how racial discrimination affected not just individuals but also the broader cultural narrative around African American contributions to literature.

Review Questions

• How did racial discrimination shape the literary careers of Phillis Wheatley and Jupiter Hammon?
  • Racial discrimination significantly impacted both Wheatley and Hammon by creating barriers to recognition and publication within a predominantly white literary landscape. Wheatley, despite her status as a published poet, often faced skepticism regarding her intellectual capabilities simply because of her race. Hammon’s work was similarly constrained by societal prejudices that undermined the value of African American voices in literature. Their struggles highlight how systemic racism limited opportunities for Black authors during their time.
• In what ways did the historical context of racial discrimination influence the themes present in Wheatley's and Hammon's writings?
  • The historical context of racial discrimination heavily influenced the themes in Wheatley's and Hammon's writings, as they often grappled with issues of identity, freedom, and humanity. For instance, Wheatley’s poetry frequently addressed notions of liberty while also reflecting on her own status as a Black woman in a racially oppressive society. Hammon's works conveyed the struggles of enslaved individuals, emphasizing faith and hope amidst despair. Their literary expressions served as both personal reflections and broader commentaries on the impact of racial injustices.
• Evaluate how the legacies of Wheatley and Hammon challenge contemporary understandings of racial discrimination in American literature.
  • Wheatley’s and Hammon’s legacies challenge contemporary understandings of racial discrimination by illustrating how art can serve as both resistance and affirmation of identity. Their successful navigation through a hostile environment highlights the resilience of African American voices in literature. By examining their works alongside modern discussions of race, we see a continuum of struggle against systemic oppression, prompting re-evaluations of who has historically been considered an authoritative voice in American literary history. This recognition is crucial in acknowledging ongoing issues related to racial discrimination today.

Related terms

Jim Crow Laws:

State and local laws that enforced racial segregation in the Southern United States from the late 19th century until the 1960s.

Systemic Racism: A form of racism that is embedded in the policies and practices of societal institutions, leading to persistent inequalities across different sectors.

Segregation: The enforced separation of different racial groups in a country, community, or establishment.