Chapter 28 Flashcards
What major events led up to the national reckoning discussed in Chapter 28?
A string of police killings of unarmed Black Americans, mass protests (e.g., Black Lives Matter), the Charleston church massacre, and the shooting at Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh.
What symbolic act did President Obama perform at the Charleston church eulogy?
He led the sanctuary in singing “Amazing Grace,” a song written by a former slaver seeking redemption.
What happened shortly after Obama’s Charleston eulogy in 2015?
The Confederate flag was removed from the South Carolina state capitol after flying for 54 years.
What did Go Set a Watchman reveal about Atticus Finch?
That the beloved fictional hero was actually a segregationist, symbolizing a national unmasking of racism.
What did historian Taylor Branch call the time period after Reconstruction through WWII?
The Nadir—the lowest point for Black political and civil rights.
What do some historians and activists call the current era starting with Trayvon Martin’s shooting?
The Second Nadir, marked by voter suppression and extrajudicial killings of Black Americans.
How have modern voter suppression efforts evolved from the past?
Voter ID laws, voter roll purges, polling station closures, and strict ID matching requirements disproportionately impact Democratic and minority voters.
What purpose did lynchings serve historically, and how does Wilkerson draw a parallel today?
Lynchings were meant to enforce racial hierarchy. Today, unpunished killings and mass shootings serve a similar function of intimidation and social control.
What chilling question did Taylor Branch ask during his conversation with Wilkerson?
“If people were given the choice between democracy and whiteness, how many would choose whiteness?”
How does Wilkerson describe Trump’s impact on American society?
He surfaced longstanding racial animus, making the caste system visible, undeniable, and harder to ignore.
What demographic projection intensified dominant-caste anxiety, according to the chapter?
The projection that white Americans will no longer be the majority by 2042, which some saw as a threat.
