Agricultural Adjustment Act (AAA): The AAA provided government subsidies to farmers based on the acreage they planted. However, these subsidies were often structured in a way that benefited white landowners disproportionately. For instance, the program required farmers to own their land to receive benefits, which excluded many African American sharecroppers and tenants who worked the land but did not own it.
Social Security Act: The Social Security Act established the Social Security program, which provided retirement and survivor benefits. However, the program initially excluded many African Americans who worked primarily in agriculture and domestic service jobs, which were not covered under Social Security.
Home Owners' Loan Corporation (HOLC): The HOLC was established to help homeowners refinance their mortgages during the Great Depression. However, the agency drew maps (known as "redlining" maps) that designated predominantly African American neighborhoods as "hazardous" or "undesirable," which resulted in discriminatory lending practices and limited access to mortgages for African Americans.
Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC): The CCC provided job opportunities to young men during the Great Depression, including a significant number of African Americans. However, the program was segregated, with separate camps and facilities for African American enrollees. Additionally, African American workers often faced discrimination and were assigned less desirable tasks.
Public Works Administration (PWA): The PWA funded public works projects, such as roads and bridges. Although the PWA did not explicitly discriminate against African Americans, many local governments and contracting firms excluded African Americans from employment on these projects.
It's important to recognize that while the New Deal had overall positive impacts on the American economy and society, some of its policies and practices did perpetuate existing racial inequalities and disadvantaged African Americans.