African-Americans

African-Americans

African-Americans, also referred to as Black Americans or Afro-Americans, are an ethnic group of Americans with total or partial ancestry from any of the Black racial groups of Africa. The term typically refers to descendants of enslaved Africans brought to the United States during the transatlantic slave trade. African-Americans constitute the second largest racial minority in the United States, after Hispanic and Latino Americans.

History

Slavery and Emancipation

The history of African-Americans begins with the forced migration of Africans to the Americas as part of the Atlantic slave trade. The first African slaves arrived in what is now the United States in 1619, in the colony of Virginia. Slavery was a central institution in American society until the American Civil War and the subsequent Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, which declared the freedom of all slaves in Confederate-held territory.

Reconstruction and Jim Crow

Following the Civil War, the Reconstruction era attempted to integrate formerly enslaved people into American society. However, the end of Reconstruction in 1877 led to the rise of Jim Crow laws, which enforced racial segregation and disenfranchised African-Americans, particularly in the Southern United States.

Civil Rights Movement

The Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s was a pivotal period in African-American history. Leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, and Malcolm X fought for the end of segregation and the establishment of equal rights. Landmark legislation, including the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965, was passed to dismantle institutionalized racial discrimination.

Culture

African-American culture is a rich tapestry of traditions, music, art, and literature that has significantly influenced American culture as a whole.

Music

African-Americans have been instrumental in the development of various music genres, including jazz, blues, hip hop, and R&B. Artists such as Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Aretha Franklin, and Tupac Shakur have left an indelible mark on the music industry.

Literature

African-American literature has a long and storied history, with authors like Langston Hughes, Toni Morrison, and James Baldwin exploring themes of identity, race, and social justice.

Art

The Harlem Renaissance was a cultural movement in the 1920s that celebrated African-American cultural expression. Artists like Jacob Lawrence and Romare Bearden depicted the African-American experience through their work.

Demographics

According to the United States Census Bureau, African-Americans make up approximately 13.4% of the U.S. population. The majority reside in urban areas, with significant populations in cities such as New York City, Chicago, and Atlanta.

Also see

• African-American history
• Civil Rights Movement
• Harlem Renaissance
• Black Lives Matter
• African-American culture