#None #Arlington #NumbersUSA #Emancipation #Immigration Act

NumbersUSA Offers Valuable Educational Resources

NumbersUSA Education & Research Foundation has announced an important initiative aimed at educators. The organization is providing complimentary copies of its booklet titled "Emancipation Reclamation" to professors and teachers. This resource is intended for inclusion in recommended reading lists, allowing students to explore a crucial chapter in American history that delves into the impact of immigration policies on Black Americans.

The booklet spans 48 pages adorned with historic photographs and impactful quotations. It narrates the lesser-known story behind the period from 1924 to 1965, recognized as the peak era for economic progress within the African American community. This era coincided with significant changes in immigration policy, specifically the drastic reduction in the number of immigrants allowed into the United States.

Historical Context

The narrative in "Emancipation Reclamation" highlights how broken promises from the Civil War were, to a degree, reclaimed following the immigration cuts enacted by Congress in 1924. This pivotal legislation, according to findings published by notable figures such as Nobel economist Sir Angus Deaton and New York Times Editorial Director David Leonhardt, played a transformative role in uplifting the economic prospects of Black Americans. They assert that the Immigration Act of 1924 ranks among the most consequential legislative actions in U.S. history regarding its effects on the descendants of American slavery and, by extension, all American workers.

Leonhardt notes that the reduction in immigration during the years following 1924 had a notable effect on wage growth. He points out that during this era, Black workers witnessed a faster increase in their income compared to their white counterparts, contributing to a narrowing wage gap well before the civil rights achievements of the 1960s.

Voices from History

The booklet also emphasizes the contributions of several prominent African American figures such as A. Philip Randolph, Booker T. Washington, W.E.B. DuBois, Marcus Garvey, and Frederick Douglass. These leaders are celebrated for their advocacy against the influx of foreign labor, which they believed detracted from job opportunities available to Black Americans.

In the years following the Civil War, many freed slaves found themselves sidelined as northern employers prioritized immigrant labor for the expanding job market. This economic exclusion kept approximately 90% of freed slaves and their descendants marginalized within the South due to limited job opportunities exacerbated by Jim Crow laws. It wasn't until the employment landscape shifted following the 1924 immigration cuts that many Black Americans began to find work outside the South.

Such historical narratives have often gone untold in mainstream education, leading to a gap in understanding regarding the economic dynamics that affected Black Americans. As Roy Beck, founder of NumbersUSA, stated, "This has been a little-taught history for too long. We are pleased to bring back these long-silenced voices of African American leaders so that today's students can hear what the leaders did and had to say about one of the most important phases of United States history."

Bringing Educational Resources to Classrooms

For educators interested in incorporating this critical historical resource into their teaching, NumbersUSA encourages requests via email. All classroom requests can be directed to Andre Barnes at [email protected] The initiative reflects NumbersUSA's long-standing mission as a nonpartisan organization focused on educating the public about immigration policies and their implications for wage earners and communities across the nation.

This educational move not only aims to enhance classroom discussions but also offers students a nuanced perspective on the historical interplay between immigration policy and economic opportunities for African Americans. It's a step towards enriching the discussion around immigration and its socio-economic consequences in American history.

For more information about the booklet and to access a digital version, interested parties should visit the NumbersUSA website.