African Americans

African Americans, also called Black Americans, are a community group forming part of the population and residents of the United States, descended mostly from African peoples brought to the Americas as slaves during the 17th to 19th centuries. The group ranks among the largest demographic populations in the United States.

Terminology has shifted over time. During the 20th century various terms were used; from the 1960s and 1980s onward, the terms "Black" and "African American" became standard. Both are used today, and some individuals prefer one or the other.

History

The community's origins lie in the Atlantic slave trade, through which large numbers of African people were forcibly brought to work on plantations in the Americas, particularly in the southern United States where labor was needed for cotton and tobacco cultivation. Following the American Civil War (1861–1865), slavery was abolished, but racial segregation laws and customs persisted for an extended period, especially in southern regions.

During the 20th century, the civil rights movement resulted in federal legislation prohibiting racial discrimination in public accommodations and voting. During this same period, the Great Migration brought large numbers northward and westward from the South, transforming the structure and economies of cities in the North and West.

Culture and contributions

The community has played a major role in American music, literature, and religion. Musical genres including blues, jazz, gospel, soul, funk, and hip-hop originated from Black communities. Black churches have historically served as centers for community and political organizing, and have produced leaders of major social movements.

Current conditions

Social and economic research typically shows disparities between this group and others when measured by household wealth, homeownership, education, and the criminal justice system. These matters remain subjects of ongoing political and scholarly debate within the United States.