The Impact Of Segregation In America

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Since history began, society as a whole has classified people into groups based on outward appearances. Race is not a biological classification, race is a socially constructed classification. In 1896, the Supreme Court made their decision on the court case Plessy v. Ferguson. The ruling pretty much stated that segregation in public facilities is legal as long as there is an equal quality of service provided to both parties. Although equal quality of service was now expected, southern governments did not provide this to African Americans. Because of the outcome of this court case, a movement began which tried to control every aspect of African American lives.
Although many African Americans wanted to fight back, there were factors that changed their minds. Jim Crow Laws were in affect and even more appalling, allowed by society. These laws kept African Americans permanently inferior to white Americans. Along with Jim Crow Laws came a high rate of lynchings in the South, which was the burning and whipping of African Americans who asserted themselves in any way that seemed disrespectful to whites in the South. Acts of terrorism such as this act showed the supremacy of whites throughout this period of racial inequality and brought a state of fear that moved all throughout the South during this time. In 1901 alone there were a recorded total of 105 African Americans lynched that year. White supremacists were on a mission to make their opinions about African Americans and their role in society known and they were succeeding.
Segregation was at an all-time high during this time; restrooms, water fountains, schools, public transportation and restaurants were all separated based on skin color. African Americans became powerless and were ...

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...rican Americans were taking a stand. The March on Washington was an event known to help pass the Civil Rights Act of 1964 that outlawed discrimination and segregation based on race, color, religion, sex or national origin. This march was in front of the Lincoln Memorial and was where Martin Luther King Jr. gave his memorable “I Have a Dream” speech where he dreamed for the end of racism. Changes were being made and called to the attention of the public.
As the war came to an end, 1945 began a turbulent time of economic growth and prosperity for the U.S. With the end of the civil rights movement and with segregation and discrimination now outlawed, African American were now united and organized. African Americans were not home free quite yet because discrimination although illegal still happened but progress was being made and lives were being changed for the better.

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