What fact best explains why it is significant that Angelou's narrative is set in 1940? A) In 1940, the United States was not yet involved in World War II. B) In 1940, segregation of blacks and whites was still the norm. C) In 1940, most high school students did not go on to college.
History · High School · Tue Nov 03 2020
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B) In 1940, segregation of blacks and whites was still the norm.
The fact that Maya Angelou's narrative is set in 1940 is significant because during that time, legal and systemic racism was widespread in the United States, particularly in the Southern states. Segregation laws, known as Jim Crow laws, enforced the separation of black and white Americans in public spaces, education, employment, and virtually all aspects of daily life. This harsh reality of segregation provides context for Angelou’s experiences and the challenges she and other African Americans faced, offering insight into the social and cultural milieu that shaped her narrative