AP African American Studies: Housing Discrimination Study Guide 🏠

Hey there! Let's get you prepped for the AP exam with a focused review of housing discrimination in 20th-century America. This guide is designed to be your best friend tonight, making sure everything clicks and you feel confident. Let's dive in!

1. Introduction: Setting the Stage

Effects of Housing Discrimination

• Limited Homeownership: African Americans faced huge hurdles in buying homes, affecting their ability to build wealth.
• Segregation: Housing policies pushed Black families into specific areas, creating and maintaining segregated communities.
• Resource Disparities: Segregated neighborhoods often lacked essential services, impacting health and well-being.

2. The Mechanisms of Discrimination ⚙️

Restrictions on Home Ownership

• Redlining: Banks literally drew red lines on maps, refusing loans to Black neighborhoods. 🏘️
  • This practice made it nearly impossible for African Americans to secure mortgages.
  • It was based on racist assumptions, not actual risk.
• Restrictive Covenants: Agreements that prevented homeowners from selling to Black families.
  • These were legal until 1968, creating a deeply segregated housing market.
• Biased Lending: Even when Black families could get loans, they faced higher interest rates.

Housing Segregation Codification

• Federal Housing Administration (FHA) Manual (1938): This manual institutionalized segregation.
  • It labeled Black neighborhoods as "hazardous," justifying discriminatory practices.
  • It encouraged restrictive covenants, further solidifying segregation.
• Consequences: Black families were forced into overcrowded, under-resourced areas.
  • These areas became known as ghettos or slums, perpetuating inequality.
• NAACP's Role: The NAACP fought hard against these practices, pushing for fair housing.

Redlining Practices

• How it worked: Lenders drew red lines around areas they deemed "undesirable" – mostly Black neighborhoods.
  • This denied Black families access to homeownership and wealth-building.
  • It led to disinvestment and deterioration in these communities.
• Why it's important: Redlining wasn't just about housing; it was about controlling access to opportunity.

3. The Human Impact 💔

Violence Against Integration

• White Resistance: When Black families tried to move into white neighborhoods, they faced violence.
  • This included threats, vandalism, and physical attacks.
  • It was all about maintaining segregation and racial hierarchy.
• Examples: This violence happened in cities across the US, like Chicago, Detroit, and Los Angeles.

Disparities in Community Resources

• Lack of Essentials: Black neighborhoods often lacked basic resources and services.
  • This included transportation, healthcare, and healthy food options.
• Transportation: Poor public transport made it hard to get to jobs and other opportunities.
  • Environmental racism led to pollution in Black neighborhoods.
• Health: Lack of recreational spaces and healthy food options contributed to health issues.
• Food Deserts: Limited access to fresh produce created "food deserts" in Black communities.
• Healthcare: Fewer hospitals and medical professionals meant poorer health outcomes.

Transportation Inequality

• Segregated Systems: Transportation systems favored white neighborhoods, leaving Black areas underserved.
  • This limited access to jobs, education, and other opportunities.
• Community Solutions: Black communities created their own solutions, like jitneys and independent bus companies.
  • These efforts were part of the larger civil rights movement.

4. Required Sources: Bringing It to Life 🖼️

Home Owners' Loan Corporation "Residential Security" Map of Philadelphia and Camden, 1937

• What it shows: This map is a prime example of redlining in action. 🗺️
  • It shows how the government labeled Black neighborhoods as "hazardous," directly impacting lending decisions.
  • It's a tangible piece of evidence of institutionalized racism.
• Why it's important: It highlights how government policies actively contributed to the racial wealth gap.

Excerpt from A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry, 1959

• What it is: A groundbreaking play by an African American woman. 🎭
  • It explores the challenges faced by a working-class Black family in Chicago.
  • It touches on themes of racial discrimination, family dynamics, and the American Dream.
• Why it's important: It offers insights into the social and economic challenges of the Civil Rights era.
  • It shows the personal impact of systemic barriers.

Understanding these sources is crucial for the exam. Be prepared to analyze them and connect them to broader themes of housing discrimination.

5. Final Exam Focus 🎯

Key Topics to Review:

• Redlining and Restrictive Covenants: Understand how these practices worked and their impact.
• The FHA's Role: Know how the federal government contributed to segregation.
• Consequences of Segregation: Be able to discuss the disparities in resources and opportunities.
• Resistance and Activism: Remember the efforts of the NAACP and other groups.

Common Question Types:

• Multiple Choice: Expect questions that test your knowledge of key terms and historical events.
• Short Answer: Be ready to explain the causes and effects of housing discrimination.
• Free Response: You might need to analyze sources and connect them to broader themes.

Last-Minute Tips:

• Time Management: Don't get bogged down on one question. Keep moving!
• Connect the Dots: Show how different concepts are related to each other.
• Use Evidence: Back up your claims with specific examples and details.
• Stay Calm: You've got this! Take deep breaths and trust your preparation.

6. Practice Questions

Practice Question

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Which of the following best describes the practice of redlining? a) Providing low-interest loans to minority communities b) Denying loans and services to residents of certain neighborhoods based on race c) Encouraging integrated housing developments d) Promoting fair housing policies

2. The Federal Housing Administration's (FHA) 1938 Underwriting Manual is significant because it: a) Outlawed racial discrimination in housing b) Supported the integration of neighborhoods c) Institutionalized housing segregation d) Promoted equal access to home loans

3. What was a common consequence of housing segregation in the 20th century? a) Increased access to quality healthcare in African American communities b) Equal distribution of resources across all neighborhoods c) Disparities in community resources and services d) Improved public transportation in minority areas

Free Response Question

Prompt: Analyze the ways in which housing discrimination in the 20th century impacted African American communities. In your response, discuss the mechanisms of discrimination, the consequences of segregation, and the ways in which African Americans responded to these challenges. Use specific examples from the provided sources or your own knowledge of the period.

Point-by-Point Scoring Breakdown:

• Thesis (1 point): A clear, defensible thesis statement that addresses the prompt.
  • Example: "Housing discrimination in the 20th century, through practices like redlining and restrictive covenants, had profound and lasting negative impacts on African American communities, leading to segregation, limited opportunities, and community-led resistance."
• Mechanisms of Discrimination (2 points): Discussion of at least two specific mechanisms of housing discrimination.
  • Example: "Redlining, as seen in the HOLC map, denied loans to Black neighborhoods, while restrictive covenants legally prohibited the sale of homes to African Americans."
• Consequences of Segregation (2 points): Explanation of at least two consequences of housing segregation.
  • Example: "Segregation led to disparities in community resources, including limited access to healthcare, healthy food options, and public transportation. It also resulted in disinvestment and deterioration of African American neighborhoods."
• African American Responses (2 points): Discussion of at least one way African Americans responded to these challenges.
  • Example: "African Americans responded by creating their own solutions, such as jitney services and independent bus companies, as well as through activism, like the NAACP's fight for the Fair Housing Act."
• Use of Evidence (2 points): Integration of evidence from the provided sources or other historical knowledge.
  • Example: "The HOLC map provides a visual representation of redlining, while 'A Raisin in the Sun' gives insight into the social and economic challenges faced by a Black family in Chicago due to housing discrimination."
• Synthesis (1 point): Demonstrates an understanding of the connections between different aspects of the topic.
  • Example: "The combined impact of redlining, restrictive covenants, and violence against integration created a system that perpetuated racial inequality for generations, affecting not just housing, but also wealth, health, and opportunity."

You've got this! Go get that 5! 💪