During the Great Depression, African Americans faced numerous struggles that compounded the difficulties of the economic crisis. Here are three key issues they specifically dealt with:
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High Unemployment Rates: African Americans experienced disproportionately high unemployment rates compared to their white counterparts. With the economy in a tailspin, many industries that typically employed Black workers—such as agriculture and domestic work—were severely affected. Discrimination in hiring practices further limited job opportunities, as employers often favored white applicants. This led to increased poverty and socio-economic instability within African American communities.
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Discrimination in Relief Efforts: Relief programs established during the Great Depression, such as those initiated by the New Deal, often excluded or marginally included African Americans. Many federal and state agencies implemented these programs with an inherent racial bias, which meant that Black families often received less assistance than white families. Policies like “redlining” further inhibited Black access to housing and credit, perpetuating cycles of poverty and disenfranchisement.
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Violence and Racial Tensions: During the Great Depression, racial tensions escalated in various parts of the United States. As competition for jobs and resources intensified due to the economic downturn, resentment and hostility towards African Americans often led to violence. Lynching and other forms of racial terror were not uncommon, and Black communities were frequently scapegoated for economic grievances faced by white citizens. This environment of fear and insecurity added another layer to the already challenging circumstances of the time.
These struggles highlighted the systemic inequalities that African Americans faced, making their experience during the Great Depression particularly harsh and unjust.