Black History Month: a study in resilience.
Analyzing the past, evaluating the present, and building towards the future.
In the years following the end of the Civil War from 1865 to 1870, the Thirteenth, Fourteenth, and Fifteenth amendments to the US Constitution were ratified. These amendments–known collectively as the Reconstruction Amendments–were intended to provide formerly enslaved people equal protection under the law, granting them freedom, citizenship, and voting rights. On paper, these amendments would usher in a new era of empowerment for Black Americans; but in practice, these laws were only a small step forward against a rushing tide.
For the next several decades, Black Americans continued to be subjected to intense discrimination and disenfranchisement as the Reconstruction Amendments were not equally enforced across the country. Through a combination of loopholes, intimidation, and violence, some states managed to uphold their slavery-era practices. The 1870s saw the rise of Jim Crow Laws across the South, legalizing segregation and institutionalizing discrimination. These laws stripped many Black Americans of their political and economic power, forcing them to live as second-class citizens. Only through the mobilization of nonviolent grassroots protests did change occur. With leaders such as Martin Luther King, Jr., the modern Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s saw success in dismantling the Jim Crow Laws, enforcing the protection of Black Americans and other People of Color under the federal law. After nearly 100 years since the ratification of the Reconstruction Amendments, the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 were passed, outlawing segregation and discrimination based on race and ethnicity.
But even with the monumental victories of the Civil Rights Movement, the fight for equality on a social, educational, and economic level is still ongoing today. According to many recent studies, a distinct achievement gap exists between Black and Latine students and their White counterparts. On average, Black and Latine students score lower in educational achievement and graduate at a lower rate than White students. Much of this achievement gap can likely be traced back to the socioeconomic status of these Black and Latine families. In the workforce, Black and Latine workers earn only $0.76 and $0.73 respectively for every $1 their White counterpart makes. In 2023, the median income for Black families in the US was $56,490–the lowest of all the racial groups–compared to $89,050 for the median White family. With less money, Black and Latine families have less opportunities for things like extracurriculars and higher education, thus resulting in lower educational achievement which in turn means lower-paying jobs: and the cycle continues.
Systemically, it is clear that Black folks and People of Color are being left behind. From basic rights to economic achievement, the fight for equality has been a long and hard road; but it has not been without resilience. This Black History Month, we honor the legacy of those who have brought us this far. With much more uncertainty ahead, it is imperative that we continue to push for change. At Chica Project, one of our goals is to provide young Women of Color the opportunity to reach their greatest potential. Through mentorship, workshops, and community engagement, we believe that every chica has the right to aim high, no matter their background. By studying our past and understanding our present, we can build a better future for everyone.
