- The Great Depression (1929–1939): It began with the U.S. stock market crash in October 1929 (“Black Tuesday”) and lasted through the 1930s. Full economic recovery was largely driven by the mobilization for World War II in the late 1930s and early 1940s.
- Jim Crow Era (Late 1870s–1965): Jim Crow laws began emerging in the American South following the end of Reconstruction (around 1877) and were legally reinforced by the 19th-century Supreme Court (Plessy v. Ferguson in 1896). The era was dismantled by civil rights legislation in the mid-1960s, specifically the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
Understanding Racial Attitudes in Older Generations
Relying solely on birth year to label an individual as racist is inaccurate, but understanding how socialization during that era worked provides essential context:
The Impact of Socialization
People born before 1920 or 1940 came of age in a society where racial segregation, institutional discrimination, and explicit bias were not only common—they were frequently codified by law and embedded in media, education, and social norms. Sociological research consistently shows that the dominant cultural values of a person’s formative years significantly influence their worldview. As a result, older cohorts statistical data often reflects higher rates of traditional implicit or explicit bias compared to younger generations who grew up post-Civil Rights Movement.
Individual Variation and Activism
Systemic norms do not dictate individual character. Millions of people born in the 1910s, 1920s, and 1930s actively rejected the racial prejudices of their time. This generation included key civil rights leaders, activists, lawyers, and everyday citizens—both Black and white—who fought directly to dismantle Jim Crow laws. Many others re-evaluated and transformed their perspectives as society evolved.
A Balanced View
It is historically accurate to acknowledge that people born before 1940 were socialized in a deeply segregated and racially unequal society. However, assuming any specific individual is racist based strictly on their age overlooks personal values, lived experiences, and individual choices. Evaluating people by their actions, statements, and character rather than their generation alone offers a more reliable assessment.