History of African Americans - Research Paper Example

Download file to see previous pages... Jim Crow Law was the name given to anti black laws in USA. These laws were discriminatory and racist in nature clearly defining white superiority over African Americans. It was basically a racial caste system followed in southern states after American civil war, till mid of 1960s. It was a complete social system based on injustice, inequality, prejudice, race and hate against African Americans. The Jim Crow laws badly affected social, economic and moral fiber of African Americans society especially in southern states. The African Americans were treated inhumanly since they were not allowed to share churches, hospitals, buses, rail wagons, schools, housing and even burial places. American Government implemented these laws and Supreme Court supported the Government. Common beliefs spread by whites were that whites were made superior by God and African Americans are meant to serve them. Till this day racism against African Americans has affected this community since African Americans are unable to compete with whites as a community, although exceptions are there.Plessy V.Furgoson decision by Supreme Court in May 1896 set the stage for legitimization of anti black laws in southern states like Louisiana. The court supported the theme that “equal but separate” public facilities for African Americans and whites can be maintained within jurisdiction of states and racial segregation is not the violation of US constitution. Basis of case was traveling of African Americans and whites in the same wagons of railway. Implication of this decision has been a long term white-black segregation and more anti black legislations in USA. On the contrary US Supreme Court gave a decision in 1954 setting stage to eliminate anti black laws. The court decided that state laws which allow separate public schools for African Americans and whites are unconstitutional. Both decisions of court were historic in nature where first decision helped to establish racism while the second helped to abolish racism.Besides Dr. Martin Luther King, Rosa Parks and Malcolm X, Grace Towns Hamilton was a great black leader who struggled tirelessly for civil liberties in America. She was the first black woman elected to Georgia General Assembly (Georgiaencyclopedia.org 2004). She represented her district for 18 Years continuously in Atlanta. She was an African American woman born on 10th February 1907 and died in 1992.  ...Download file to see next pagesRead More