Jim Crow

What is Jim Crow? A racial caste system enforced for the most part in the Southern United States and the border states between 1877 and the mid to late 1960s.

Jim Crow was enforced and supported by: The Law – laws were put in place that enforced the separation of the races Science – studies were conducted that supported racist ideas Religion – support was cited from the Bible to support the superiority of white people Children’s Literature and Toys – depictions of black people in children’s stories ensured that the stereotypes and prejudices would be shared by future generations (i.e. “Brer Rabbit”) The Media – newspapers, magazines, etc. demonize the black community

Jim Crow Etiquette Never say or even suggest that a white person is lying Never suggest a white person is from an inferior class Never comment on the appearance of a white woman (this can lead to an accusation of rape)

Plessy Vs. Ferguson What: A court case tried in 1896 Who: Plessy, 1/8 black man from Louisiana tried to sit in a white rail road car and was removed The Verdict: The court decided by majority vote that as long as black people are treated “equally” they may be kept separate from whites The Result: This made discrimination and segregation legal once and for all

Lynching “Legal” (as in ultimately excused by the courts) murder, usually brutal and for minor offenses like a black man looking at a white woman Almost 5,000 people total lynched under “lynch law,” at least a third of them innocent of any offense