Black Steps Backward In America

From Senator Barack Obama's historic presidential campaign to the mainstream popularity of hip-hop, black people and African-American culture has progressed by leaps and bounds over the last 25 years. However, negative perceptions and patterns are still hindering our community.

As Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said "injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere," which is why as we go forward into the next quarter century it is imperative to learn from past problems and correct them; whether it's institutional policies or our self-destructive behavior.

So, as CNN takes a look at what it's like to be Black in America, Blackvoices now asks: "What issues need to be resolved within our community?"

Here at BV, we came up with 10 areas in which the black community needs to improvement. Check out the gallery and tell us what you think.

10 Ways Black People Have Progressed

The new generation of African Americans going in to ownership and entrepreneurial routes are well equipped and more knowledgeable than ever before. Despite many obstacles unparalleled to other races many African American have perceived to receive equality and the right to ownership since the ending of slavery. Now in the 21st century we are able to see how their successes and potential to become business moguls and CEOs of major companies.

History was made At the 74th Academy Awards® in 2002 when Halle Berry became the first African-American woman to win Best Actress. She also gave one of the most memorable acceptance speeches of her life that gave thanks to all those powerful black females that had came before her. This was not a moment in her life to be remembered but a witness that women of color are be. Denzel Washington continuing the path of Greatness when he was awarded Best Actor for Training Day after Sidney Poitier, the first African-American male to win Best Actor 39 years ago, was awarded an honorary award. These two men are examples of how much we have came along in history and in entertainment. And now that they have opened the door for a new generation to enter and blow even more borders for the future.

2. In recent years there has been a glimpse that black education rates are on the rise. School teachers have been becoming the main influence for students to excel in test scores for reading, writing skills, math, and social sciences. Now that teachers are receiving more respect for their hard work, society is noticing that they are the gateway for their children's future.

Digital divide Narrowed

hip-Hop Culture Takes Over

6. Williams Sisters/Michael Jordan

As Barack Obama continues his path to the White House to become the first African American for the President of The United States of America history is being made every step he takes closer. It was monumental when Barack defeated Hillary Clinton as the leader of the Democratic Party for the election but as

Women Empowerment

Condoleeza Rice - Secretary of State Colin Powell being the top military person in America
As the first black female to be in such a hig position in politics, Condeleeza is a women in charge of being president Bush's right hand and has been very influential in the advancement of black women in the U.S. government.

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