Research Paper On African American Oppression

HUMS 100
Gerald Palmer
19 January 2013
African American Oppression
Some people may never know what it feels like to be oppressed, while others may experience it daily. A great man once said “We know through painful experience that freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed (Martin Luther King, Jr.). Oppression is defined as the unjust or cruel exercise of authority or power (Merriam Webster). In American society, Women, African Americans, Asians, Hispanics, Gays, and Lesbians are some of the people most often oppressed. In my essay I will discuss African American oppression—history—past and present, discrimination in the criminal justice system, and oppression in relation to social work.
History tells us that the earliest form of oppression towards African Americans was in the form of slavery. Slavery began in the United States around the sixteen-hundreds. African Americans were then known as indentured servants, and were brought to America to aide in the production of crops such as sugar cane, tobacco, and rice. This form of oppression was backed by the American Government and, African American slaves were bought, sold and traded. This type of oppression, known as slavery was practiced in the United States, and deprived enslaved black people—children, women, men, and the elderly—of all human rights. The number of people affected by this form of oppression is said to be between ten and twelve million, with millions more killed or dying of disease and deprivation on the journey (Smith). Slavery was believed to be used because it provided the cheapest and most reliable source of labor. They even had laws to help to enforce their malicious ways, such as the Slave Codes. The Slave Codes were basically laws in United States, which defined the status of slaves, and the rights of masters. The codes gave the slave-owners absolute power over the African slaves (Pbs.org). Although the slave codes no longer exist, African American oppression is still alive and well in today’s society, but on more shaded
Although slavery is no longer a problem other more daunting forms of oppression plague our American society today. For instance take the statement of Arkansas Republican Legislator Jon Hubbard who wrote that “Slavery was a blessing in disguise for black people, because it enabled them to become U.S. citizens (Clear). Hubbard’s influential status in the House of Representatives makes this and many other of his racially charged statements oppressing because of his government status and how he has a considerable influence on some important decisions to be made within society. Oppression enforced by influential members of society is socking because these people hold so much