Racism

Pennsylvania : Virtue, Liberty, And Independence

United States

Pennsylvania : Virtue, Liberty, And Independence

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1 year ago

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August 7, 2023

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Pennsylvania is a state located in the northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. Pennsylvania is the 33rd-largest state by area, and the 6th-most populous state with over 12 million residents. It is bordered by Delaware to the southeast, Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, Lake Erie and Ontario, Canada to the northwest, New York to the north. The state capital and its 10th largest city is Harrisburg. Pennsylvania’s two other most populous cities are Philadelphia (1st) and Pittsburgh (7th).

The state has 51 miles (82 km) of coastline along Lake Erie and 57 miles (92 km) of shoreline along the Delaware Estuary. Pennsylvania is one of the 13 original colonies, and was admitted as a state on December 12, 1787. Pennsylvania’s three most populous cities are Philadelphia (1,580,863), Pittsburgh (302,407), and Allentown (118,032). The state capital is Harrisburg. Pennsylvania has 140 miles (225 km) of waterfront along the Delaware Estuary.

The Pennsylvania Dutch Country refers to an area in southeastern Pennsylvania that was settled by German immigrants in the 17th and 18th centuries. It includes parts of Lancaster, Lebanon, York, Berks, Bucks, Chester, and Montgomery counties. Pennsylvania Germans are a distinctive group within Pennsylvania and their impact on the state is reflected in many ways including dialect, architecture, cuisine, and culture.

Pennsylvania is one of the most ethnically and religiously diverse states in the country. It has been referred to as a “melting pot” of different cultures. Pennsylvania has been home to many notable Native American, Swedish, English, Irish, Italian, Polish, Hispanic, and Asian communities. Pennsylvania is also home to a large Amish community.

Pennsylvania has a long history of racism and Jim Crow laws. Pennsylvania was one of the 13 colonies that initially ratified the United States Constitution in 1787. Pennsylvania was also the second state to join the Union on December 12, 1787. In the years following the American Revolution, Pennsylvania passed a series of Black Codes that restricted the rights of African Americans and other minority groups. These laws were not repealed until 1848.

In 1854, Pennsylvania enacted a set of Jim Crow laws that segregated public schools, transportation, and other public places by race. These laws were not repealed until 1965. Pennsylvania was also one of the states that enacted poll taxes and literacy tests as a means of preventing African Americans from voting. Pennsylvania’s racist history extends into the present day. In 2013, Pennsylvania was ranked as the fifth most racially segregated state in the country.

Racism is a widespread problem in the United States, and Pennsylvania is no exception. Despite being a northern state that fought on the side of the Union during the Civil War, Pennsylvania has a long and complicated history with race relations. From the early days of slavery to the modern era, racism has been a constant presence in the state.

One of the most significant examples of racism in Pennsylvania is the history of the slave trade in Philadelphia. In the 18th and early 19th centuries, Philadelphia was a hub of the slave trade. The city’s location on the Delaware River made it an ideal location for the transport of enslaved Africans from the port of Wilmington. By the time the practice was abolished in 1861, Philadelphia had become one of the largest slave-trading cities in the country.

In addition to the history of slavery, Pennsylvania has a long history of discrimination against its Black citizens. In the 20th century, Pennsylvania was a hotbed of racial tension and civil rights activism. In 1963, Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his famous “I Have a Dream” speech at the March on Washington. Just a few years later, in 1968, he was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee. His death sparked riots in cities across the country, including Philadelphia.

Today, Pennsylvania continues to struggle with racism. While overt forms of discrimination are less common than they were in the past, systemic racism remains a major issue. Black residents of the state are more likely to be unemployed, live in poverty, and be incarcerated than their white counterparts. They are also more likely to be stopped and searched by police.

One of the most significant examples of systemic racism in Pennsylvania is the state’s criminal justice system. Black residents are disproportionately represented in the state’s prisons and jails. Despite making up only about 12% of the state’s population, they account for more than 47% of its prison population. This disparity is due in part to the state’s harsh sentencing laws and its reliance on mandatory minimums.

Another area where racism remains a problem in Pennsylvania is in the education system. Black students are more likely to attend underfunded and underperforming schools than their white peers. This disparity in funding and resources leads to a wide achievement gap between Black and white students.

In recent years, there have been efforts to combat racism in Pennsylvania. Organizations such as Black Lives Matter and the NAACP have been active in the state, working to raise awareness of racial injustice and advocating for policy changes. There have also been efforts to address the state’s criminal justice system, such as reducing mandatory minimums and implementing diversion programs.

Pennsylvania has a complicated history with race relations, the state continues to grapple with the issue of racism today. While progress has been made, there is still much work to be done to ensure that all residents of the state are treated fairly and equitably, regardless of their race or ethnicity.

SUNDOWN TOWNS IN PENNSYLVANIA

Sundown town, in U.S. history, a town that excluded nonwhite people—most frequently African Americans—from remaining in town after sunset.

Here is a current list of sundown towns in Pennsylvania. This list has been created by Tougaloo College in Tougaloo, MS. This list is a work in progress. Some cities have been confirmed as sundown towns and some are listed for other or similar reasons.