Society & Culture / Social Issues / Race & Ethnicity

The Racial Wealth Gap in the U.S.: A 160-Year History from 1860 to 2020

Why has the wealth gap between Black and White Americans persisted for over a century and a half? This video dives deep into the historical data from 1860 to 2020, tracing the evolution of racial wealth inequality in the United States. We'll explore the economic legacy of slavery, the impact of policies like Jim Crow and redlining, and examine why decades of civil rights progress haven't closed this staggering divide. Using clear charts and data, we break down the key drivers—from homeownership disparities to differences in inheritance and financial assets—that have locked in this inequality across generations. Understand the true scale of the problem and what the numbers tell us about the economic reality for millions of Americans today.