Charles Stephenson (Grace Murray)/Wikimedia Commons After the Civil War Attendees at a Juneteenth Emancipation Day celebration in Texas in 1900. Government responses to economic crises have historically set Black Americans back relative to whites, stripping Black wealth and setting new and stronger barriers in paths to success – even in times of national economic growth. In many national crises since then, Black Americans have also been essential workers.īut serving in crucial roles has not resulted in economic equality. Freedom from slavery should have been freedom to climb up the economic ladder, helped – or at least not hindered – by a nation newly rededicated to human equality.īlack Americans had served in the war, too, making up more than 10% of the Union Army, a quarter of the Union Navy and untold numbers aiding the Union effort. On J– 155 years ago – Black Americans celebrating the day of Jubilee, later known as Juneteenth, may have expected a shot at real opportunity.
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