Glossary
"The Black Middle Class Needs Political Attention, Too," Brookings Institution Report
A 2020 report by Andre M. Perry and Carl Romer that highlights the persistent economic challenges and racial inequalities faced by the Black middle class, challenging simplistic narratives of racial progress and underscoring the need for targeted policies.
Example:
"The Black Middle Class Needs Political Attention, Too," Brookings Institution Report revealed that even affluent Black families often struggle with wealth accumulation due to systemic barriers, dispelling myths of post-racial economic equality.
Barack Obama
An American politician who served as the 44th President of the United States from 2009 to 2017. He was the first African American to hold the office.
Example:
The election of Barack Obama as president was a historic moment, symbolizing progress in American racial politics and inspiring hope globally.
Black Entrepreneurship
The creation and operation of businesses by African Americans. This often served as a vital pathway to economic self-sufficiency and community development, especially when mainstream opportunities were limited.
Example:
From beauty salons to publishing houses, Black Entrepreneurship provided essential services and fostered economic independence within segregated communities.
Black Freedom movement
A broad and sustained effort by African Americans and their allies to achieve civil rights, equality, and liberation from racial oppression in the United States. It encompasses various campaigns, organizations, and strategies from the post-Reconstruction era through the Civil Rights and Black Power movements.
Example:
The Black Freedom movement was not just about protests; it also involved strategic legal battles and voter registration drives to dismantle systemic racism.
Black elected officials
Individuals of African American descent who have won elections and hold public office at various levels of government. Their numbers saw a substantial increase following the Civil Rights Movement.
Example:
The rise in Black elected officials from local school boards to Congress demonstrated the tangible impact of increased political participation.
Black middle class
A socioeconomic group of African Americans who have achieved a certain level of economic stability and professional status. Despite their progress, this group often faces unique economic challenges and vulnerabilities compared to their white counterparts.
Example:
The growth of the Black middle class is a testament to resilience and achievement, yet they still confront systemic barriers to wealth accumulation.
Black voter registration
The process by which African American citizens formally enroll to be eligible to vote in elections. This significantly increased after the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
Example:
Efforts by civil rights organizations led to a surge in Black voter registration drives, empowering communities that had long been disenfranchised.
Colin Powell
An American statesman and a four-star general in the United States Army. He was the first African American to serve as U.S. Secretary of State, holding the position from 2001 to 2005.
Example:
Colin Powell's career exemplified a path of military and diplomatic excellence, breaking barriers as the nation's top diplomat.
Commencement Address of General Colin Powell at Howard University, 1994
A significant speech delivered by Colin Powell at a historically Black university, emphasizing themes of free speech, reconciliation, pride in heritage, and the responsibility of graduates to serve their communities and improve America.
Example:
In his Commencement Address of General Colin Powell at Howard University, 1994, Powell urged graduates to embrace their heritage while working to perfect the nation, embodying a message of both pride and patriotism.
Condoleezza Rice
An American diplomat, political scientist, and government official who served as the 66th U.S. Secretary of State from 2005 to 2009. She was the first African American woman to hold the position.
Example:
Condoleezza Rice's appointment as Secretary of State marked another significant milestone for Black women in high-level government positions.
Congressional Black Caucus (CBC)
An organization representing the Black members of the United States Congress. Founded in 1971, its mission is to promote Black political power and advocate for legislative reforms that address the needs of Black communities.
Example:
The Congressional Black Caucus plays a crucial role in shaping policy debates, ensuring that issues affecting African Americans are brought to the forefront of national discussion.
Educational opportunities (after desegregation)
The expanded access to integrated and improved educational institutions for Black students following the desegregation efforts of the Civil Rights era. This led to increased rates of high school and college graduation.
Example:
While desegregation opened up new educational opportunities, disparities in school funding and resources continued to affect many Black students.
Generational wealth
Assets, such as money, property, or investments, that are passed down from one generation to the next within a family. The ability to accumulate and transfer generational wealth is often hindered by systemic inequalities.
Example:
The lack of opportunities for Black communities to build generational wealth has contributed significantly to the enduring economic disparities seen today.
Historical discrimination
Systematic and institutionalized unfair treatment of individuals or groups based on their race, which occurred over extended periods in the past. This includes practices like redlining in housing or exclusionary hiring in employment.
Example:
Historical discrimination in housing policies, such as redlining, prevented Black families from accumulating property wealth in the same way as white families.
Kamala Harris
An American politician and attorney who is the 49th and current Vice President of the United States. She is the first female Vice President, the first African American Vice President, and the first South Asian American Vice President.
Example:
Kamala Harris's ascent to the Vice Presidency shattered multiple glass ceilings, representing a new era of diverse leadership.
Portrait of Former First Lady Michelle Obama by Amy Sherald, 2018
An official portrait of Michelle Obama, notable for being painted by a Black female artist and for its distinctive style, which uses grayscale skin tones and a contemplative pose. It symbolizes her role as a cultural icon and highlights progress in representation for Black women.
Example:
The Portrait of Former First Lady Michelle Obama by Amy Sherald, 2018 captures her iconic grace and strength, using Sherald's signature style to emphasize her presence and impact.
Portrait of Former President Barack Obama by Kehinde Wiley, 2018
A groundbreaking official presidential portrait that depicts Barack Obama in a relaxed pose amidst a vibrant, symbolic floral background. It challenges traditional portraiture and represents the evolving narrative of African American representation in politics and culture.
Example:
The Portrait of Former President Barack Obama by Kehinde Wiley, 2018 broke artistic conventions, using lush, symbolic foliage to connect Obama to his personal history and global heritage.
Shirley Chisholm
An American politician, educator, and author who, in 1968, became the first Black woman elected to the United States Congress. She later became the first Black woman to seek a major party's nomination for President of the United States.
Example:
Shirley Chisholm's groundbreaking election inspired countless women and minorities to pursue political careers, proving that a 'unbought and unbossed' voice could succeed.
Urbanization
The process by which populations shift from rural to urban areas, leading to the growth of cities. For African Americans, this often meant migration to northern and western cities in search of better economic prospects.
Example:
The Great Migration, a period of significant urbanization for African Americans, led to the development of vibrant Black communities and business districts in major cities.
Voting Rights Act of 1965
A landmark federal law in the United States that prohibits racial discrimination in voting. It aimed to overcome legal barriers at the state and local levels that prevented African Americans from exercising their right to vote.
Example:
The passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 was a pivotal moment, leading to a dramatic increase in Black voter turnout in the South.
Wealth gaps
Significant disparities in the total value of assets (like property, savings, and investments) owned by different racial or ethnic groups. These gaps often reflect historical and ongoing systemic inequalities.
Example:
Despite some economic progress, persistent wealth gaps between Black and white families highlight the enduring impact of historical disadvantages.