Segregation in California

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From its origin, California has idealized to be the place which provided hope and a future for all ethnicities. Pervasive discrimination and prejudice flourished in the south, which led racialized groups and immigrants to head to this west coast state with the help of the transcontinental railroad and appeal of the gold rush. However, the white supremacy sentiment was not entirely left behind, as the white anglo-christian pushed to differentiate themselves from those who were “uncivilized and heathen” (Almaguer, 8). The definition whiteness was entirely subjective as public opinion continually changed from the 19th to 20th century. At one point, a Mexican could would possess more whiteness than a black based on skin color, even though the latter was an assimilated citizen with Christian values. Although diversity is typically seen as a positive reform, whites felt an entitlement of superiority. They decreased the progress of racial liberalism that progressed towards equal opportunity and dismantling of legalized segregation. Underlying the concept that race was socially constructed, racialized groups were placed into an hierarchy with an imbalance of power given to Caucasians and injustices for minorities. The influence of small political parties and popular sentiment on large scale legislation was the key power in the creation of ubiquitous segregation in California. Despite the unjust ordinances against racialized groups, community organizations aided individuals in fighting the structural barriers that kept them subordinate.

Legislators were meant to create laws which align with ideals of the constitution, yet they also responded to the voice of political advocates and endorsed laws, strategically worded to discriminate ...

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...CP’s constituency” (Brilliant 108). Therefore, other groups picked up the slack such as the Catholic Interracial Council of Los Angeles. They challenged the law on the grounds of religious freedom, as Perez and Davis were both Catholic. Although much of the public sentiment sought to “prove” through research that the offspring will be less competent, individuals such as Roger Traynor stance suggested otherwise. Traynor refuted the idea of a white superiority and how it “had nothing to do with race (nature)” as it had “everything to do with ‘environmental factors’ (nurture)” (Brilliant 111). He eluded those whom defended the law to Nazis and eugenicists. By appealing to and unlawful racial superiority exhibited by condemned groups, another socially constructed law was struck down with the help of continual challenges by community groups and determined individuals.

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