Before exploring racism today, we must study racism in previous generations. For this, we must go back to slavery. The idea of owning another person had been around since the 18th century B.C. in Babylon; however, slavery in the way that we think of it didn't come to be until the triangle slave trade in the 17th and 18th century. This triangle trade brought slaves to the Americas. Slavery was a part of everyday life for nearly 150 years of America's history. In 1863 the emancipation proclamation was passed, this document promised all slaves and people of color freedom, but just because slavery was abolished doesn't mean that the memory doesn’t live throughout the history of our country. Americans had believed that slavery was a necessary evil. Over time though, these beliefs started to evolve into a mindset that they were superior. As a result of this most people had a hard time welcoming African Americans into their communities; therefore, people invented a way to “have their cake and eat it too”, and it was called segregation. Using segregation all ethnic groups could be separated into white and colored. But this was real and it was everywhere, America was a segregated society. Major League Baseball was segregated until 1947; African Americans played in the Negro Leagues. Hollywood played its part, limiting African Americans to roles as domestics or making "all-Negro" films that were shown in segregated movie theaters. The most detrimental type of segregation that's still affecting our country today is redlining. Redlining refers to a discriminatory pattern of disinvestment and obstructive lending practices that act as an impediment to home ownership among African Americans and other people of color. In simpler terms, bankers denied loans to people of color so that they were forced to settle for poor quality housing. Segregated communities would form, and the main distinction was that white citizens tended to have nicer homes. These actions still impact the attitudes held today. If you were to go down to Colfax you would notice a trend where colored people and refugees live in the poorer communities. The buildings are noticeably dirtier and there are more bedbugs and roaches. Even when colored families have or save enough money to move out, home sellers have prejudices that make it harder for them to purchase a good home. In 1964 The Civil Rights Act was approved. The act outlawed segregation in businesses such as theaters, restaurants, and hotels. It banned discriminatory practices in employment and ended segregation in public places such as swimming pools, libraries, and public schools. It was a momentous step forward for all minorities that had been the subject of oppression.