Why did race relations remain a major issue in the US, 1945-1989?

Into; history of slavery in the us, outlawed under Lincoln. Despite this, segregation and discrimination continues, particularly in the south. Jim Crow laws cause discrimination, and ‘separate but equal’. Things like voting taxes keep population down. Equality fought for early through peaceful methods like the bus boycott but would eventually turn violent. And despite early victories, Race relations remained a huge issue through those years, as racism culturally engrained

WW2: black Americans who fought in ww2 had seen countries without segregation. Soldiers who had fought for the country and had suffered didn’t want to come back and continue to be treated as second class citizens. After the war, more young black Americans began to attend college, which would create a new generation of well educated people, ready to fight. Around this time, media was evolving. Access to TVs meant people could no longer turn their heads to the suffering and racism in the South (proving race relations are still an issue). Mounting federal case like Brown vs Board of Education also brought the cause to light 

Montgomery Bus Boycott (Part 1): city of Montgomery is 70k white, 50k black and yet blacks treated terribly. Things come to head after Rosa Parks arrested. A boycott is decided for the buses ( 75% of the buses profits come from the black population). Thought to fail soon, community works hard to make sure it lasts; taxi services and carpooling. Strategically planned media coverage highlighting race relations

Montgomery Bus Boycott (Part 2): while tough, the boycott eventually succeeds. This proves that, despite often violent reactions from the white community (violence against churches, arrests), peaceful protest achieves change. However, still a small step in the broader fight. Gave rise to Dr Martin Luther King This would set up the precedent for the next long time 

Violence and result: fight continues. Sit ins and ride alongs face major pushback, the the government proves it will step in (little rock) to uphold its laws. MLK makes the ‘i have a dream’ speech in Washington. In 1964 the Civil rights act is passed and in 1965 the Voting rights act is passed

Growing black violence: Despite victories, on the whole racism in america is too culturally engrained to stop because of one act. a new, growing movement of more radical, extremism grows. Malcolm X and black power. Riots occur in major cities where urban poverty is at its highest. MLK attempts to fix these issues, but they go nowhere. Racism both economic, shown through urban poverty, and social. Long, Hot Summer of 1967, huge protests, MLK tried his previous methods, failed.

End of peace: Black Panthers growing stronger. MLK is assassinated in 1968, and that brings and end to all forms of peaceful protest. Violent crime on the rise in inner cities, black people live in inner cities, stereotype created. Black Panthers try and help communities (health centers, free breakfast). FBI targets despite good work. Negative perceptions continue

War on Drugs: drugs and crime disproportionately affect the black community, especially in the aforementioned areas of urban poverty. War on drugs announced, racially biased enforcement and policies. Much higher arrests . Leads to stereotyping which has a huge knock on effect. Propaganda twists black addicts into dangerous criminals, whites into innocents

Some wins and setbacks: war on drugs hugely negative, leading to stereotyping and a turn towards the Republicans, this would make race relations worse, as people like Reagan pushed back against many landslide victories. Things like affirmative action only furthered the white pushback. Fight continues

Conclusion: To this day, the black community in America feels as if the fight is not over, and there are still huge ways to go before there’re true equality. However, overall things improved.