4.15 Economic Growth and Black Political Representation

The Voting Rights Act of 1965 sparked a surge in Black political representation. From Congress to local offices, African Americans gained influential positions, with the number of Black elected officials growing sixfold between 1970 and 2006.

Despite these political gains, significant economic disparities persisted. While the Black middle class expanded and educational opportunities improved after desegregation, wealth gaps between Black and white families remained stark, impacted by historical discrimination in housing and employment.

Economic disparities for Black communities

Wealth gaps along racial lines

• Significant wealth disparities persist between Black and white families despite the growth of the Black middle class
  • Median wealth for Black families was $17,150 compared to$171,000 for white families (2016)
• Discrimination and racial disparities in housing and employment limited Black communities' accumulation of generational wealth
  • Occurred in the early twentieth century
  • Impacted wealth accumulation in the second half of the twentieth century

Educational opportunities after desegregation

• Desegregation expanded educational opportunities for Black students
  • Took place in the 1950s and 1960s
• Gradual increase in the number of Black college graduates
  • 23 percent of African American adults had earned a bachelor's degree or higher (2019)

Urbanization and Black entrepreneurship

• Urbanization led to increased employment opportunities and growth of Black businesses
• Black entrepreneurs have made significant contributions to American society and the economy
  • Established businesses to serve Black communities (restaurants, banks, publishing houses)
  • Some of these businesses are still in operation today

Impact of Voting Rights Act

Expansion of Black voting power

• The Voting Rights Act of 1965 prohibits racial discrimination in voting by local and state governments
  • Bans enacting laws and procedures that create such discrimination
• Black voting power and political representation expanded in the late twentieth century
  • Occurred alongside the growth of the Black middle class
• African Americans achieved influential positions
  • Served as members of Congress, local legislators, judges, and high-ranking officials in presidential administrations

Growth in Black elected officials

• Sixfold increase in the number of Black elected officials in the United States (1970-2006)
  • Grew from about 1,500 to 9,000 officials
• Largest annual increase occurred in 1971
  • Reflects the impact of the Black Freedom movement on Black political representation

Advances in Black federal leadership

Shirley Chisholm and Congressional Black Caucus

• Shirley Chisholm became the first Black woman elected to Congress (1968)
  • Advocated for women's rights
• Helped found the Congressional Black Caucus (1971)
  • Group of Black members of Congress
  • Promotes the growth of Black political power
    • Supports Black candidates in national, state, and local elections
    • Lobbies for reforms in healthcare, employment, and social service programs

Colin Powell vs Condoleezza Rice

• Colin Powell became the first Black secretary of state (2001)
  • Served under President George W. Bush
• Condoleezza Rice succeeded Colin Powell as secretary of state
  • First Black woman to hold the position

Obama and Harris in executive branch

• Historic precedents in Black executive branch political leadership in the early twenty-first century
  • Barack Obama elected as president (2008)
    • First Black American to hold this position in United States history
  • Kamala Harris elected as vice president (2020)
    • First Black American to hold this position in United States history

Required Sources

Commencement Address of General Colin Powell at Howard University, 1994

General Colin Powell's commencement address at Howard University in 1994 represents a significant moment in African American history. As the first Black Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Powell's speech at a historically Black university carried immense weight, inspiring a new generation of leaders and highlighting the progress made in breaking racial barriers.

The address serves as a powerful example of African American achievement and the importance of education in advancing civil rights. Powell's words likely touched on themes of perseverance, excellence, and the ongoing struggle for equality, providing valuable insights into the African American experience at the end of the 20th century.

Colin Powell's commencement address at Howard University touched on several key themes:

1. The importance of free speech on campus, even for controversial views
2. The need to reject hatred and embrace reconciliation, citing examples like Nelson Mandela
3. The legacy of African-American pioneers, including Buffalo Soldiers and civil rights leaders
4. The responsibility of graduates to work hard, continue learning, and serve their communities
5. The importance of maintaining faith in America while working to improve it
6. Encouragement to be proud of one's heritage while contributing to the broader American society
7. A call to fight racism without letting it become a personal burden
8. The value of diversity as a source of national strength

Powell's speech balanced acknowledging past struggles with an optimistic view of the future, urging graduates to build on the achievements of their predecessors and to let their dreams guide them in improving both their own lives and American society as a whole.

Portrait of Former President Barack Obama by Kehinde Wiley, 2018

Kehinde Wiley's portrait of Barack Obama represents a significant departure from traditional presidential portraiture, blending contemporary art with historical gravitas. The painting's vibrant background and Obama's relaxed pose challenge conventional notions of power and authority, reflecting the former president's groundbreaking legacy as the first African American to hold the office.

This artwork symbolizes the evolving narrative of African American representation in American politics and culture. By choosing Wiley, a renowned African American artist known for reimagining classical portraits with Black subjects, Obama's portrait embodies the intersection of art, politics, and identity, serving as a powerful statement on diversity and inclusion in the highest echelons of American leadership.

Portrait of Former First Lady Michelle Obama by Amy Sherald, 2018

Michelle Obama's official portrait represents a groundbreaking moment in American history, featuring the first African American First Lady painted by a Black female artist. The work challenges traditional notions of presidential portraiture, presenting Mrs. Obama in a modern, stylized manner that reflects her role as a cultural icon.

Sherald's portrait symbolizes the progress made in representation and visibility for Black women in positions of power and influence. It serves as an inspiration for future generations, showcasing the importance of diverse perspectives in art and politics while cementing Michelle Obama's legacy as a trailblazer in American society.

Charts from "The Black Middle Class Needs Political Attention, Too," Brookings Institution Report by Andre M. Perry and Carl Romer, 2020

See: https://www.brookings.edu/research/the-black-middle-class-needs-political-attention-too/#:~:text=The%20Black%20middle%20class%20is%20growing.,in%20the%20Black%20upper%20class.

The Brookings Institution report highlights the often-overlooked economic challenges faced by the Black middle class in America. By presenting data on income disparities, wealth gaps, and other socioeconomic factors, it draws attention to persistent racial inequalities that affect even relatively affluent African Americans.

This analysis challenges simplistic narratives about racial progress and economic mobility. It underscores the need for targeted policies addressing systemic barriers faced by middle-class Black Americans, emphasizing that racial disparities extend beyond poverty and impact broader segments of the African American community.