African Americans Make Advances and Face Challenges
When depression hit, african americans workers were often the first to lose their jobs . by 1934 , the unemployment rate for africans americans was almost 50 percent , more than twice the national average . Eleanor roosevelt and others urged the president to improve the situatiom of african americans .
As the new deal progressed, Eleanor Roosevelt increasingly used her position to protest against racial discrimination. at a meeting held by the southern conference on human welfare, a biracial group that sought to promote racial reforms, the first lady sat with black delegates a daring move in segregated Birmingham, Alabama . when a white police officer told her that she was violating local segregation laws , Mrs. Roosevelt moved her chair to space between the black and white sides. she then delivered a rousing and provocative kenote address in favor of racial reform .
As the new deal progressed, Eleanor Roosevelt increasingly used her position to protest against racial discrimination. at a meeting held by the southern conference on human welfare, a biracial group that sought to promote racial reforms, the first lady sat with black delegates a daring move in segregated Birmingham, Alabama . when a white police officer told her that she was violating local segregation laws , Mrs. Roosevelt moved her chair to space between the black and white sides. she then delivered a rousing and provocative kenote address in favor of racial reform .