The history, culture, literature, and artistic and political endeavors of African Americans are a long and complicated one. For centuries, African Americans have been subject to discrimination and oppression in the United States and beyond. In spite of this hardship, however, African Americans have made immense contributions to America’s culture that should not be forgotten.

African American history can be traced back to the moment when the first enslaved Africans arrived in America in 1619. Over time, many more slaves were brought from Africa or born into slavery on plantations throughout the South. This period was filled with extreme hardship for those under bondage as they faced harsh conditions such as beatings and sexual abuse. Despite these circumstances though many slaves managed find ways to stay connected to their heritage by preserving songs, stories, folklore dances, crafts and traditions passed down through generations. Consequently through all this suffering African American identity began forming within America’s cultural landscape thanks to these efforts at maintaining culture despite slavery’s constraints .