PROGRESS SINCE 1960
Integration at school
In 1957, nine African-American teenagers tested the new laws that declared segregation in public schools unconstitutional and attended an all white high school in Little Rock, Arkansas. A few years later in 1962, James Meredith was the first African-American student admitted into a segregated college- The University Of Mississippi. These days, most people don't think twice about the diversity experienced in high school and college. In the United States, colleges are currently made up of 61% Caucasian students, and 39% other- 14% of which are African-Americans. And the percentage of "other" races is growing. Many colleges take pride in having an ethnically diverse campus.
Sports
Back before the 1960s, it wasn't common to see African-Americans on professional sports teams. In most cases, because of segregation laws, it was forbidden. The first African-American to play on a professional baseball team was Jackie Robinson in 1946. National Football League also accepted African-Americans to join the league that year. A few years later, so did golf. And later basketball. And so on, up until 1960. Since the 60s, African-Americans have taken over the professional leagues accounting for 66% of the national football league, 77% of the national basketball association, and 40% of Major League Baseball.
Interracial Couples
Interracial marriages were illegal up until the year of 1967. Since then, interracial couples and marriages become more and more common. So much so that interracial households increased 28% from the year 2000 to 2010.
Equal rights
African-Americans were discriminated against in the work place. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 passed and made it illegal for employers to discriminate based on race, origin, or religion. African-Americans didn't have equal voting rights until the Voting Rights Act of 1965 passed. African-Americans also lacked rights to housing. There were many white and black neighborhoods. Real Estate Brokers could deny an African-Americana house just for the fact that they were black. The Fair Housing Act of 1968 made discrimination in the housing market illegal.
Progress
Many of us have African-American coworkers, neighbors and friends. We experience integration in every day life that most don't think twice about. From strict segregation in sports, jobs, schools and restaurants to having an African-American serve as the President of the United States, the progress we have made in the past 50 years is truly significant.