During the Progressive Era, which lasted from the 1890s to the 1920s, the problem of racial unfairness in America was often ignored. This happened because many other social issues were getting more attention. While some people wanted to support civil rights, many still held onto the common beliefs about race during that time.

1. Limited Attention to Racial Issues:

• Most reforms during this time focused on things like workers' rights, women’s voting rights, and education.
• Groups like the NAACP started to form, but they didn’t get as much attention or help from the larger movement.

2. Unfair Laws:

• Jim Crow laws in the South enforced segregation, which means separating people based on race and treating them differently.
• Even in the Northern states, African Americans faced unfair treatment when it came to housing, jobs, and education. They often missed out on the benefits of progressive changes.

3. Lost Chances for Togetherness:

• Many white progressives thought racial issues were not as important as other reforms. This belief made it harder to work together.
• African American leaders, like W.E.B. Du Bois, pushed for an agenda that included everyone but faced a lot of resistance.

Even with these challenges, there was hope for tackling racial inequality by bringing different reform movements together.

When we realize that racial justice and social justice are connected, we can work as a stronger team. This can lead to big changes, such as better laws, fair access to education and jobs, and more awareness of racial problems.

By building connections between different groups, we can make important progress in civil rights and help create a fairer society for everyone.