In 2020, the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic and the upsurge of social justice protests highlighted the systemic racism that afflicts our society. The roots of racial inequities stretch back to 1619, to the arrival of the first enslaved Africans in Virginia and the beginnings of race-based oppression and discrimination in America.
Across the ensuing 400 years, Black people and their allies have fought for freedom, equal justice, and access to opportunities. They have overcome excruciating conditions and have made remarkable achievements, yet progress has been hindered by setbacks and persistent racism.
Determined: The 400-Year Struggle for Black Equality traces four centuries of Black history in Virginia through stories of extraordinary individuals who struggled for equality and, in the process, profoundly shaped the nature of American society and the meaning of our collective ideals.
Their stories help us to understand the origins of today’s problems and to reckon with the painful legacies of slavery, segregation, and white supremacy. These determined individuals also inspire us to create a better future.
