Final answer:
The question addresses the historical context and development of black towns and settlements in the US during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, highlighting their establishment as a form of resistance and self-determination amidst segregation and racism.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question pertains to the history of African American populations in the United States in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, specifically the existence and development of black towns and settlements during this period. After the Civil War, many African Americans lived as poor agricultural workers in the South, and segregation policies negatively impacted their lives.
Despite this, black communities found ways to thrive by establishing their own towns and neighborhoods, creating a social and economic infrastructure that included newspapers, medical professionals, lawyers, and various businesses.
For instance, towns like Red Bird and Boley rose from the All-Black Town Movement within Oklahoma, stemming from the Exoduster background of leaders like Edward McCabe who sought to establish autonomous black regions. This movement was both a response to racism and a demonstration of resilience and ambition within the black community. The history of black towns and settlements in the US tells a story of struggle, perseverance, and the pursuit of self-determination in a racially divided nation.