Hindering African American Advancement: The Spanish Flu to Covid-19

Author

AJ Nieves, University of LynchburgFollow

Date Presented

Spring 5-2020

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts

Department

Business Administration

First Advisor

Dr. Brian Crim

Second Advisor

Dr. Michael Schnur

Third Advisor

Dr. Nichole Sanders

Abstract

African Americans have been fighting an uphill battle since the creation of the United States of America. Prejudices and injustices have plagued the African American demographic throughout history. There are certain events, such as global pandemics, that should impact all people equally. However, this is not the case. The Spanish flu of 1918 swept through the United States affecting most of the population; however, minorities were impacted the most. African Americans were treated poorly, not given proper medical aid, and suffered higher mortality rates than other demographics in the United States. In addition, African Americans were already an economically marginalized group in the United States and the Pandemic of 1918 served as another hinderance that still impacts them to this day. One discerns similarities between the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic’s effects on minority communities and the Spanish flu. Even though there has been 100 years of civil and racial reform, the African American demographic is being treated as poorly and suffering the consequences of the latest global pandemic. Medical research, social policies, and varying economic factors suggest the negative impact these pandemics have had on the African American demographic in the United States.

Recommended Citation

Nieves, AJ, "Hindering African American Advancement: The Spanish Flu to Covid-19" (2020). Undergraduate Theses and Capstone Projects. 222.
https://digitalshowcase.lynchburg.edu/utcp/222