answersLogoWhite

0

That depends on where you were. The country was still segregated (African-Americans were then called either "Negroes" or "colored people"), and black people living in the south (especially in rural areas) often had no electricity, were denied the right to vote, and attended one-room schoolhouses, using old books discarded by the white schools. In some cities, black males were automatically suspects in any crimes, and some were even lynched without so much as a trial.

But on the other hand, the 1920s was the era of the Harlem Renaissance, when black authors, poets, painters, playwrights, actors and musicians gained wider exposure. Some of this occurred thanks to the arrival of the new mass medium of radio, which brought the talents of black entertainers to a national audience, and also provided an opportunity for black educators and advocates to give talks heard by thousands of people.

Black newspapers such as the Chicago Defender and the Pittsburgh Courier also provided a voice for black people, protesting against the unfairness of segregation and promoting the achievements of the black community. But unfortunately, in a segregated society, white readers were mainly exposed to stories of black criminals; the mainstream (white) newspapers often ignored the positive accomplishments of black citizens, and white readers were left unaware that in the 1920s, there were black scholars, doctors, lawyers and inventors.

Racism and stereotyping of blacks permeated American life, and although some white people challenged it, all too many were very comfortable using racial slurs-- even radio stations and newspapers at times made use of what today is called the "N-word." But on the other hand, as more Americans began to attend college, they were exposed to new ways of thinking. And while large numbers of black Americans were still facing discrimination and living in poverty, the story was not the same in every city. In fact, in many places, there were definite signs of progress, as a growing number of black Americans were graduating from universities, entering the professions, and creating a new middle and upper-middle class.

User Avatar

Wiki User

11y ago

What else can I help you with?

Related Questions

What was life like in 1920s America?

slimmer


How was Mexico like in 1920-1930's?

Mexico during the 1920s-1930s


What describes the policies of republicans during the 1920s?

They acted to support big businesses or something like that - apex


What was life like for farmers in the 1920s?

very hard because they lose money from every acre they sold


Two women who were writers during in the 1920s were?

Two women who were writers during the 1920s were Virginia Woolf, known for her modernist novels like "Mrs. Dalloway" and "To the Lighthouse," and Dorothy Parker, a poet, short story writer, and critic famous for her wit and humor in works like "Enough Rope."


What was the KKK like during the 1920s?

It was strong across the nation, largely, but not entirely, because of its support and enforcement of National Prohibition.


What was the average speed of a fastball in the 1920s?

75-80 mph


What where children's life like during the revolutionary war?

their life was hard


What was life like during the Holocaust?

horrible


Describe life in the US during the roaring 1920s?

Life in the U.S. during the Roaring 1920s was characterized by significant social change, economic prosperity, and cultural dynamism. The decade saw the rise of jazz music, flapper culture, and a flourishing of the arts, reflecting a break from traditional values. Urbanization accelerated as people flocked to cities, and consumerism boomed with the advent of mass production and new technologies like automobiles and radios. However, this vibrant era also masked underlying issues, such as economic inequality and the impending Great Depression.


What was life like in Tuscaloosa during segegation?

surely you mean during segregation?


What was the government like in the 1920s?

reallly really gay