Why have black people not been able to assimilate into american life??

Question

After 150 years of freedom, they still have not been successful in many aspects of american life. High crime rates, poverty, low education rates. Many other groups new to america have been much more successful. The Irish, the german, the polish. Even many newly arrived africans. Whats wrong with them????

Answer 1

Nothings wrong with them.None of the other races were slaves in this country,you sound like some one either not very well informed or some one with race hate.Either way I'm white and I find your question very insulting and offensive.

Answer 2

The answer is multifacetted, like many others. But in short, people like you asking the question from a comparable sense, rather than in an atempt to see variable that hav econtiually thwarted these people individually and as a collective. Noe of the other people(s) mentioned came over as slaves and have contiually had to have , in a socially perceptive perspective, live-down this stigma. Xenophobia is a part of american culture like, apple pie. Hate the blacks, hate the irish, hate the catholics, hell even hate the native Americans. All these people seem to provide the steam, if you will, for the powers that were, be or are, over time. Yet Americans must always have one group subordinate another. This hegemony or hierarchal way of life has financially progressed and socially digressed a majority aswpiring middle class and complacent poor class in the US. 2% of the US population owns 98% of the wealth. I'm not sure any of the groups other than the blacks have achieve much more than the blacks other than higher FICO scores, more indebtedness, and the words of the 2%; that they have in fact achieved.

Answer 3

I will take this question seriously, and as an honest look at what you have seen in society rather than anything racist.

I think there are some cultural remnants of 150 years ago and the way in which African-American slaves lived. Notably, the many separations from family and other loved ones at the whim of the slavemaster, persecution at the hands of whites, and an acceptance of government programs all came ante- and post-bellum.

There were some noteworthy black communities, like Harlem; Gary, Indiana; and I believe another in Texas that was burnt. I do believe as you do that there must be more to the picture than just this! Thanks for the question.

Answer 4

Because their grandparents taught their parents not to let the white man bring them down. It is how they are raised. Plus, after they achieved their freedom, they started out with absolutely nothing so I am sure that education was low on the list. Having to start working at young age. Coming up with new, fast ways of coming up with money such as robbing and selling drugs. Maybe it is a hard thing to come out of even after 150 years. Do not forget that just in the 50's and 60's black america had to drink from seperate water fountains and use seperate bathrooms that were never kept clean. So even though there wasn't slavery in the 60's, there was seperation and a lot of name calling. I understand a little, but the whole black american gold tooth baller necklace thing and dance walking is beyond my understanding. Needless to say, I do not like it.

Answer 5

We just had a sheriff here in NC who had to resign because he was caught on tape talking about the only black officer on his force, saying "those dang n*******, they're just about useless", or words to that effect. The fact is, racism is alive and well.

That being said, I don't think the institutional racism exists that we saw just 25 years ago. You may run into racists individuals, but there is no longer a systematic effort to "keep people in their place", as it were. I think if we can get the inner city schools to the point of being functional, African-Americans, as a group, will make major strides in the coming years.

Answer 6

high crime rates..that is the american life...I hate america the KKK that weird cult that kills celebrities...america is a messed up place- I'm happy in Canada..and you need to relax...the high poverty rate is b/c of your greedy president- and stop making me pay and others pay for someone else's wrong doings... OKAY so if a black man gets arrested for murdering...I must be punished as if I murdered b/c of my colour..so many Ignorant questions on this site- keeps it interesting..but it gets annoying - So if i see white guys on TV that raped a bunch of girls...or murdered that doesn't count ? I've seen alot...it's a problem among every race b/c we are all human
go read a book

Answer 7

First of all they were only free on paper.... When they were freed from slavery the Government did nothing to educate them.... So they were still slaves to society.... They were doing the **** jobs and getting paid next to nothing for doing them....

Not until 100 years later were they even allowed to drink from the same water fountain as a white person...

And the politicians such as George Wallace kept them down...

Still today, in the South Especially, they are referred to as *******....

In the end the Religious Freaks and Neo Con Republican swine will be the slaves....

Answer 8

Stop babying the blacks. None that are here today were slaves. Just like none of the white people that are here today personnally owed any slaves. We continue to help blacks. Everytime I read a paper I see a new program to help African Americans get better education,jobs,housing, etc. They can work for it just like white people. If they are still so bothered by slavery today they need to go back to Africa and live.

Answer 9

Just plain laziness. They all seem to walk around with a chip on their shoulder thinking that everything is owed to them for their past in slavery. The saddest part is that the last generation that was enslaved is not even alive anymore and more recent generations are trying to make every attempt to turn the tables to their advantage at everyone else's expense. "The white man keeps us down" is all they seem to say collectively and the whole time they live in homes built by HUD rent-free or with ridiculously low rent. They get to collect a monthly check that is supposed to go towards getting themselves establilshed credit-wise and save up for a home of their own but it goes towards their new Escalade with 26" spinners, gold teeth, blunts and new crackpipes. That check is our taxpayer's money going to support a lifestyle they want to portray but know that there is no way short of a miracle that they can support themselves. We need to stop financial aid for them if this is the lifestyle they want to lead. This is only part of the explanation that I can come up with. I will have to think about this a little longer to help explain all the aspects that I have not touched on yet.

Answer 10

Whats wrong with you? There is crime, poverty, and low education among all races. There are blacks who are successful. Wake up.

Answer 11

Just because legalized slavery ended 150 years ago, legalized oppression of blacks only ended under 40 years ago. You cannot compare white European to blacks or other non-whites. Most European and other non-white groups came to American in the past by choice not force. And when slavery ended the oppression in the form of Government laws made it difficult for blacks to move up.