| − | '''Black history''' or '''African-American history''' or '''Niggerology''' is the history of the American population of black African descent, from the colonial period to the present. It was a narrow specialty until the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s made it a high priority for historical research and teaching. It is now one of the largest fields of American history. The history is one of struggle against slavery, segregation, racism and second class citizenship. Historians debate whether to emphasize radical protest, as typified by [[W.E.B. DuBois]], or upward striving through the system, as preached by [[Booker T. Washington]]. The 2008 election of [[Barack Obama]] as president has been hailed as the culmination of the black struggle for political equality. | + | '''Black history''' or '''African-American history''' is the history of the American population of black African descent, from the colonial period to the present. It was a narrow specialty until the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s made it a high priority for historical research and teaching. It is now one of the largest fields of American history. The history is one of struggle against slavery, segregation, racism and second class citizenship. Historians debate whether to emphasize radical protest, as typified by [[W.E.B. DuBois]], or upward striving through the system, as preached by [[Booker T. Washington]]. The 2008 election of [[Barack Obama]] as president has been hailed as the culmination of the black struggle for political equality. |