When the American Dream evolved into a dream of upward mobility, African
Americans were thrilled to have the opportunity to enhance their way of life,
provide better means for their families and share in the dream of upward
mobility. Unfortunately, they were not informed that dreams of upward mobility
did not apply to them entirely. Instead, to satisfy their longing to share in
the same advantages and privileges as White Americans, Separate but Equal laws
were initiated to provide a small portion of the dream while allowing White
Americans to keep their neighborhoods, schools and families inaccessible.
Wikipedia states that, “under the 'separate but equal doctrine', blacks
were entitled to receive the same public services and accommodations such as
schools, bathrooms, and water fountains.” To the expectation of the Whites and
the dismay of the Black community, accommodations were far from equal. “African
Americans were systematically deprived of political, civil, and social equality
for decades to come” [1]. African American
schools received less funding than White American schools, impacted the quality
of the schools and the education and learning experiences between the groups.
African Americans were put through rigorous tests in order to allow them to
vote, disqualifying the majority and allowing the White American vote to
prevail repeatedly. Restaurant, restrooms and other public areas established
for African Americans were also inferior to the presentation, cleanliness and
quality that White Americans used.
The American Dream for Upward Mobility became an obscure and inaccessible
goal for African Americans in a single moment. The continuation of ambiguously
defining equality of opportunity had prevented equality from ever being obtainable
to the masses [4] and would continue
to influence separation of the classes and the American culture in future
generations.
Besides racial issues, social activist also targeted prostitution and
aimed at enhancing provisions to women either forced into a life of
prostitution or attempting to escape from a career that only led to judgment
and tragedy. Prostitution had grown massively among young girls and politicians
and social activist began to battle the cause as fiery as they had battled the
revolution. “There is a slave trade in
this country, and it is not black folks this time, but little white girls –
thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, sixteen and seventeen years of age”[5]. Men who were
utilizing brothels and prostitutes were targeted as villains against the
American Dream by certain philanthropist. The cry for help begin to rescue
these young girls from a life of slavery and drugs and to provide them with the
same freedom and ability to achieve upward mobility as African Americans were
fighting for. Some women were able to find work in the high class brothel, such
as the notorious Everleigh Club, but the life of a prostitute was not glamorous
for all. Unfortunately, facing similar
political barriers as with segregation, the brothels were in some ways
safeguarded by unethical police officers and judicial workers that gave in to
bribes and payoffs, which delayed the illegalization of prostitution and
brothels. [6]
During the Progressive Era, the crusade against the Separate but Equal
laws were more influential due to the frequency of the battles and the
empowerment that begin to grow for social activist allowing them the confidence
and will to face other areas of discrimination and unethical behavior.
Both social issues widely opposed during the Progressive Era have
impacted and influenced the current culture of American and neither issue has
fully ceased to exist. Racism, segregation and trafficking of young girls are
all heartbreaking issues that are current political platforms and exist on the
agendas of many activist groups today. “Legalized segregation might be a thing
of the past in 21st-century America, but that doesn't mean that communities are
fully integrated”[7]. Clearly stated by
author Simon Fuller, even though the ruling in the “Brown vs. The Board of
Education” case brought an end to legalized segregation, exclusivity and
seclusion still remains vivid and thriving in our Nation. Perhaps one day, the
dream will be available for all. Please use the link below to view Dr. Martin Luther King Jr's famous speech, " I have a Dream." This is something that everyone should view at some point in their life.
[1] Cullen, Jim. The American
Dream. New York: Oxford University Press, 2003, Page 106
[2] Cullen, Jim. The American
Dream. New York: Oxford University Press, 2003, Page 103
[3] Cullen, Jim. The American
Dream. New York: Oxford University Press, 2003, Page 106
[4] Cullen, Jim. The American
Dream. New York: Oxford University Press, 2003, Page 108
[5]
Abbott, Karen. Sin in the Second City, New York: Random House, 2008, Page 49
[6] Bertrand, Melanie. Social Activism and Prostitution
in the Progressive Era. n.d.
http://melaniebertrand.hubpages.com/hub/Social-Activism-and-Prostitution-in-the-Progressive-Era.
[7] Fuller, Simon. Harmful Effects of Segregation.
n.d. http://www.ehow.com/info_8514884_harmful-effects-segregation.html
(accessed September 2012).
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