Inequalities and Responses

Jim Crow Laws Designed to keep blacks from exercising their rights under the 15th Amendment Literacy tests: had to prove you could read and comprehend in order to vote Poll taxes: had to pay a fee to vote Grandfather clauses: anyone whose ancestor had voted in past elections was exempt from literacy tests or poll taxes Other Jim Crow laws would enforce segregation in all public facilities

“De jure” Segregation Segregation under the law or legal segregation Many Southern states passed laws banning blacks and whites from mixing in public spaces such as restaurants, schools, hospitals, theaters, restrooms, etc.

“De facto” Segregation Segregation “in fact” Not required by law, but rather due to social norms For example, many churches and neighborhoods remain segregated today due to de facto segregation – by the choice of the people

Plessy v. Ferguson 1896 Homer Plessy (who was 1/8th black) was arrested in Louisiana for sitting in a whites-only car on a train Plessy sued, saying the Louisiana law was unconstitutional, but the Supreme Court ruled that so long as facilities were supplied to both blacks and whites that were “separate but equal” then de jure segregation was legal

Two African American Intellectuals Two Approaches to Equality Booker T. Washington W.E.B. DuBois Common Question: “What should African Americans do to get their place in society?”

Booker T. Washington 1856-1915 Born a slave Educated at Hampton University Founder of Tuskegee University

B.T. Washington’s Plan Blacks should not blame whites for their situation Blacks should start from the bottom and work up Build economic base with farming/industry ACCEPT Jim Crow: work for economic opportunity Civil/political rights NOT as important as economic opportunity Developed programs for job training & vocational skills Encouraged blacks to achieve economic freedom by learning a blue- collar trade Believed that racial equality would have to be earned over generations, would not come overnight

Approach made him popular to influential whites Dined with President Roosevelt in 1901

Asked whites to give job opportunities to black people Popular with white leaders in North/South Unpopular with many black leaders

Niagara Movement Founded in 1905 Civil rights movement which sought a “mighty current” of change Called for an end to segregation and open opposition in the black community to beliefs like Booker T. Washington’s

W.E.B. DuBois 1868-1963 Born in Boston, Mass. as a free black Educated at Fisk and Harvard University Initially supported B. T. Washington

DuBois's Plan Criticized Washington’s approach “The problem of the 20th century will be the color line.” Demanded immediate equality Blacks should get educated Argued that blacks should strive to achieve jobs in management and professional fields and be strongly politically active to safeguard their legal rights Refused to accept segregation as a social norm, also refused to wait for social equality Later emigrated to Africa

NAACP Founded by 60 people - 7 African American (DuBois, Ida B. Wells) Goal was to secure for all people the rights guaranteed in the 13th 14th and 15th amendments First president was a white lawyer DuBois directed Publications and Research

Who Would Have Said It?.. For each quote, identify the speaker: Booker T or WEB? “Demand equality and demand it now!” “Be a plumber, be an electrician...get a job and earn the respect of the white man.” “We are just as smart any white person, if not smarter! We shouldn’t need to prove that! Demand that Jim Crow laws be repealed throughout the South now!”