History Archives

Roots of Residential Segregation in the United States

When was the start of residential segregation in the United States? Who played the leading role in creating a segregated America? It started with a landmark, unconstitutional Supreme Court decision in 1883 that refused to equate housing discrimination with slavery. This kickstarted the period between 1883 and 1963 when residential segregation in the United States became prevalent. The government at all levels contributed to this issue. Read more about the history of residential segregation in the United States.

Hunger Was a Good Discipline: Hemingway in Paris

In A Moveable Feast, why does Hemingway say that hunger was a good discipline? Why was Hemingway so poor when he was living in Paris? When Ernest Hemingway was living in Paris, he often went hungry due to his lack of income. He was ashamed of himself and tried to hide his starvation from others. In the memoir, he describes how hunger affected his moods and his work.

Racial Segregation in Housing: Systemic Inequality

Systemic Inequality and Racial Segregation in Housing

How did federal housing policies enable racial segregation in housing? What is the impact of racial discrimination in housing? Federal housing policies mandated that public housing projects must reflect the racial composition of the neighborhoods around them. This created an environment where African Americans and whites lived in distinct enclaves. Racial segregation has had a destructive impact on Blacks, contributing to wealth inequality and poverty. Read on to learn more about how the government facilitated racial segregation in housing.

A Moveable Feast: Quotes by Ernest Hemingway

What are some of the most noteworthy A Moveable Feast quotes? How does Hemingway describe his life in Paris? A Moveable Feast is Ernest Hemingway’s memoir from his time living in Paris. At that time, Hemingway was hungry, poor, and happy. He lived with his wife Hadley and befriended many literary giants. Continue below for quotes from A Moveable Feast.

History of the Telegraph: How It Eliminated Relevance

How did the invention of the electronic telegraph undermine print-based discourse? How did the inclusion of photography add to the telegraph’s assault on print culture? The electronic telegraph was invented to send messages over long distances and create the opportunity for a national conversation. But in the process, the relevance of information was undermined and newspapers started printing decontextualized information. Keep reading to learn about the history of the telegraph and how it paved the way for the entertainment era.

Racial Predatory Mortgage Lending and the 2008 Crisis

What is predatory mortgage lending? How did years of predatory lending affect Black families during the 2008 financial crisis? Predatory mortgage lending is the imposition of unfair loan terms that diminish the borrower’s ability to repay. Predatory lending practices that were designed to exploit low-income Black families such as subprime mortgage loans led many of these families to default and lose their homes during the 2008 crisis. Read more to learn more about how predatory mortgage lending ensured African Americans were disproportionately affected by the 2008 crisis.

The Causes of Residential Segregation in America

What are the causes of residential segregation? What are the effects of residential segregation? Discriminatory public housing policy, housing unaffordability, and the failures of government agencies are the primary causes of residential segregation. Residential segregation has led to isolated black neighborhoods that have lower housing quality, high rates of poverty, and less access to good education. Read on to learn more about the causes of residential segregation.

Understanding Real Estate Discrimination Tactics

How did estate agents perpetuate real estate discrimination? What was the response of the government to racism in real estate? Agents perpetuated real estate discrimination using tactics like restrictive covenants, contract sales, and blockbusting to deny African Americans access to quality, high-value properties. The government’s response to racism in real estate was to condone and even help enforce these unfair practices. Read more to fully understand the scope of real estate discrimination by estate agents.

De Facto and De Jure Segregation: How They Differ

What is the difference between de facto and de jure segregation? Are all forms of segregation banned by the constitution? The difference between de facto and de jure segregation is that de facto segregation is by personal choice or private practices, while de jure is due to discriminatory government policy. The Supreme Court ruled that de jure segregation is unconstitutional, while de facto segregation cannot be remedied by the constitution. Read on to discover the history and examples of de facto and de jure segregation in housing.

Thomas Paine’s Best Common Sense Quotes

Are you looking for Common Sense quotes by Thomas Paine? What are some of the most noteworthy passages worth revisiting? Thomas Paine’s Common Sense provides both an intellectual backing and a roadmap for full American independence from England. While it is often read as a book that’s only concerned with questions related to America and England, Paine also lays out a comprehensive political philosophy. The following Common Sense quotes encapsulate the essense of his argument.