"We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools." This was said by Martin Luther King during the Civil Rights Era. To me this means that we have to live together and forget our differences to have a happy life as one people.African-Americans have been downgraded through the years but as Charles Tindley once dreamed of we have overcome.Since 1609 this race has been in this great country. Instead of enjoying it they were on plantations working for people who wouldn't work for themselves. After African-Americans overcame the trial of slavery the African-Americans were tested with a new tribulation the Civil Rights Movement.Finally, African-Americans got to peace and tranquility with our former foes. Though some still feel that African-Americans are less than others most believe that we are all equal. We are all created in God's image. As Jesus loves me says we are precious in his sight.Though African-Americans overcame we went through the times of slavery.

Slavery was a very dark time for all African-Americans because of the torture,grueling work and the heartbreak of being separated from your family.A very disturbing trial about slavery was the torture that the African-Americans persevered through.An example of this was when a man in Baton Rouge was whipped till his back bared over five scars. This man didn't deserve this so why did it happen. He was an African-American man and being that was not a promising thing during that time.Another thing slave encountered was the long hard work but some work hard like that today. Theres a difference though,African-Americans were not paid a cent. They worked because they knew if they didn't do their work they were going to be punished severely.African-Americans were worked as what we would say to death but that was normal life for African-Americans. They received no reward but instead they received more work. Those African-Americans were truly endurable and tough.Lastly, they were emotionally hurt because of separation from their family and probably would never see them again.Imagine being on a stage but not performing instead you are in a foreign country and have chains on your body. Then, they take your mom away and your left there waiting for you life of servitude.I know this is bad but it did get better when the Emancipation Proclamation was passed but African-Americans still had one more problem the Civil Rights Era.The Civil Rights Era was a step forward but a step back from true equality. The African-Americans of this era were oppressed by laws, bad treatment but overcame with great leaders.The hate crimes against African-Americans were somewhat disturbing and evil. Many African-Americans were hung just for being African-American.An example of this was Emmett Till. He was a 14 year old child who was beat, shot and thrown in a Mississippi lake. This was a very dark and dangerous time to be an African-American.There were laws that also made life hard for African-Americans. These laws were known as the Jim Crow Laws and they prohibited blacks from drinking from the same water fountain, eating together and any public things were separated.At last we found a way to fight back without fighting.African-Americans started to rally and fight for their equality by words. This was known as the Civil Rights Movement. it started with little acts of resistance to laws but then turned into law changing acts. Civil Rights activist paved the way for today like the slaves paved the way for them.Since the Civil Rights Movement ended African-Americans have thrived. African-Americans have made music to express themselves. Also there are unevolved African-Americans and evolved African-Americans. Music has always been a way out of the bad times but now African-Americans have music to just listen to.There is music that African-Americans are proud of and there is some that is not as good. Now African-American music is not all Blues but happy music.Unevolved blacks are gangs and drug dealers who give African-Americans a bad name.When you say black you think of "The Hood" but some of this is true there are things like that but it's just a reaction to all those years of oppression and abuse. African-Americans have not been allowed freedom now that they have it it's hard to handle.Some African-Americans have evolved and have great lives.Now that the African-Americans can go to descent schools African-Americans have evolved from cotton pickers to CEOs and doctors. If the slaves and civil rights activists could see us now they would smile and celebrate the new generation of African-Americans.Yes African-Americans have overcome as you can see through the centuries and you also can see the greatness of their history.Why do you think African-Americans were treated so unfairly? If there still slaves there would be no room for innovation. This is almost like the treacherous genocide of the Holocaust. There could have been peace but the African-Americans were taken instead of being asked to help with their agriculture think how much history would've changed.I wonder what might happen if instead the Colonist approached the Africans with need of help not force of help?We should all be happy that this ended because if it didn't our country would not evolve at all. In conclusion, I would like to say that the African-American history is unique and sometimes scary but great.

"Slavery In America ."http://www.history.com/topics/slavery. N.p.. Web. 14 May 2013.
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"Slave Narritives ." http://newdeal.feri.org/asn/asn00.htm. N.p.. Web. 14 May 2013.
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"Slavery In America ."http://www.ferris.edu/jimcrow/timeline/slavery.htm. N.p.. Web. 14 May 2013.
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"Twenty and odd" Africans, probably seized from a Portuguese slave ship, were carried to Jamestown, Virginia, and traded for provisions. They were classified as indentured servants. 1640 July 9 When three runaway indentured servants were captured, the General Court of Colonial Virginia gave the white servants additional years to serve while John Punch, a black man, was sentenced to servitude for life.