Chapter 02

Whose Idea Was This?

Chapter 2 gives a selective history of the development of skin color racism. The purpose is to establish a foundation for understanding racism as it exists in America in the 21st century. Five periods of American history are discussed: 1) British settlement, 1607--1740s; 2) United States becomes a nation, 1775--1812; 3) The abolition movement, 1830--1865; 4) Ascent of segregation and Jim Crow, 1877--1944; 5) Birth of a national civil rights identity, 1954--1968.

The chapter concludes that each period in American history has had unique challenges and opportunities to establish civil rights for all Americans. The 21st century requires a restatement of the civil rights goal that is relevant for today.