Contemporary Era

1965

The War on Crime

President Lyndon B. Johnson, in pursuing his "Great Society" policy, declared a war on crime. He pictured crime as seeping into America via lower-income neighborhoods, particularly those of color, and thus positioned more law enforcement in those neighborhoods. As a result, African Americans were often subject to arrests for small or non-existant offenses.

1965

1971

The War on Drugs

President Nixon, in an attempt to create an offensive agianst groups generally opposed to his administration and the Republican Party and following surge in drug use in the US, declared illicit drugs public enemy number one. The recreational use of drugs were severly criminalized, though it later became clear that the more expensive cocain was less severly punished than crack cocain, which was better associated with African Americans.

1971

1986

Anti-Drug Abuse Act

In 1986, U.S House of Representatives and senate passed The Anti-Drug Abuse Act to have more federal efforts to promote drug law enforcements, to assist in programs that rehibilitation of abusing drugs. This drug policy indicates the mandatory minimum for low-level crack offenses, subject people who are low-level participants to the same or harsher sentences as major dealers. Trends relating to arresting and sentencing for African Americans, show the falsely hood of our justice system.

1986

2013

The Founding of BLM

Black Lives Matter was originally founded by Alicia Garaza, Patrisse Cullors, and Opal Tomati following the aquittal of George Zimmerman for the murder of Trayvon Martin in 2012. Beggining as a social media hashtag, BLM has since grown into a nationwide and even international movement opposing racism and oppresion.

2013

2020

Vandalism of Hans Egede

In Nuuk, the statue of Hans Egede, the original Dano-Norwegian colonizer of the island, was vandalized, including the word "Decolonize" protesting Greenladic constituency Denmark. Shortly after, the statue's counterpart in Copenhagen was vandalized in a similar manner. The youth of Nuuk that claim to be responsible allign themselves with BLM, stating that they are opposing the celebration of a figure that represents oppresion in the region. It shows how BLM has gone from a national to an international movement.

2020

RuPaul

1960-

RuPaul is known for being the first drag queen to enter the mainstream as an icon of pop culture. In 1996, he debuted his TV talk show called "The RupPaul Show", the first show to be hosted by an openly gay man. He revolutionized the LGBTQ+ and black community by overcoming the challenges as a gay-black man via media. Having a voice to help contestants and viewers to understand how to love themselves.

RuPaul

Alexia

Feb. 17, 1989- April 30, 2015

Alexia Christian was 26 years-old when she was shot dead by two Atlanta, Georgia police officers. Policemen said that she stole a truck and arrested her, managed to free herself from handcuffs in the back of the squad car. Supposedly she pulled a gun on them and the officers shot back, however there is released footage that indicated a struggle. One officer said "Put the gun down!" and a woman in distrissed saying she doesn't have a gun, while simultaneously, pointing in the other direction.

Alexia Christian

Obama

b. August 4, 1961

In 2008, the Democratic candidate, Barack Obama, became the first African-American President of the United States. He went on to serve a second term. His administration represented the progress of African Americans in the United States, while also addressing other domistic issues of inequality. He remains the only non-white POTUS.

President Barack Obama

Harris

b. October 20, 1963

When President Biden was elected in 2020, Kamala Harris became his vice president. Harris thus became the first Black Vice President and first femal Vice President.

VP Kamala Harris

Jordan

Feburary 21, 1936 - January 17, '96

Barbara Jordan served an impressive political career. She became the first female, African-American state senator when she was elected in 1966. Then, in 1972, she became acting governer of Texas for a single day. Finally, also in 1972, Jordan became the first Southern, African-American woman to serve in the House of Representitives.

Barbara Jordan

Gorman

b. March 7, 1998

On January 20, 2021, Amanda Gorman read a peom for the inauguration of President Biden, becoming the youngest inaugural poet in American history. Her works are so renowned that she has presented them to many other political figures, including President Barack Obama, Secretary Hillary Clinton, and Malala Yousafzai.

Amanda Gorman