#problematizingprogressivenotions

The Federal Government’s Improper Discretion

President FDR’s New Deal

The Great Depression of the early 1930s revealed the gross inequities that had existed in the United States. President Frederick D. Roosevelt’s New Deal has gone down in history as one of the most progressive pieces of legislation in U.S. history. Millions of Americans were able to recover from the market crash thanks to his substantial assistance to help the working class (among others) back on their feet.

However, as critical race theory frameworks would inform us--even with progressive policy, Black people were excluded in material ways. Rothstein’s (2017) book, Color of Law, about segregation in schooling and housing informs us that the industries that were excluded from the New Deal funds, inclusive of significant reforms such as increased minimum wages, didn’t apply to sectors that Black Americans were disproportionately working in such as agriculture and domestic service largely due to Roosevelt’s political compromise with Southern Democrats to retain their support. As recounted by critical frameworks, we must problematize the notion that progressive policy can be the way forward to eradicate racism.