State Of Blacks During Jim Crow Era - Essay Example

History 1302 Essay INTRODUCTION The evolution of racial domination of Whites against Blacks in the history of America has spanned more than a few hundred years. Discrimination reflected through racial hatred has changed to the finer gradations of exploitation and harassment at every domain of life in the United States (US) against Blacks regardless of gender across the ages. Events of torture, rape, lynching and denial of economic sustenance were highly prominent for hundreds of years in the US (Marková, 16-18). The term “Jim Crow” in the history of America is often related with the rigid segregation or exclusion of Blacks. The word ‘Jim Crow’ actually referred to black character in an old song. The period 1881 to 1964 marked the era of Jim Crow in the American history. Jim Crow era reflects Jim Crow laws separating black from white races in America. Since its inception, the term Jim Crow witnessed extensive usage as an orientation to practices, laws or institution that ascend from physical separation of black people from white people. The major purpose of Jim Crow laws was to separate black from white races as a measure to promote equal treatment (Tischauser 1-3). THESIS STATEMENT This essay aims at presenting an argument challenging the assentation made by the patriarch of the Duck Dynasty family in 2013 which reflected that the Blacks” were not mistreated during the Jim Crow era; that “the Blacks” were “singing and happy” during Jim Crow and that “the Blacks” were not mistreated during Jim Crow. He further claimed that the civil rights movements and civil rights legislation have turned “the Blacks into angry, welfare recipients.” STATE OF BLACKS DURING JIM CROW ERA Jim Crow laws incorporated numerous practices of segregation. Jim Crow laws were primarily aimed at promoting equal treatment to Black African American people but the laws were criticized on several grounds. As a consequence of Jim Crow laws, Blacks were subjected to segregation in courtrooms and cemeteries, on trains and in sanatoriums among others. They were barred from public and private institutions such as restaurants, parks, libraries, public pools and hotels. Jim Crow segregation affected almost all aspects of Blacks. For instance, many courtrooms during Jim Crow era followed specific Jim Crow bibles for Black people and varied significantly from one used for white people. During Jim Crow era, Blacks were confronted with humiliation and dehumanizing practices. Blacks had to undergo severe economic hardships that strongly intertwined them to the land and largely barred their mobility. In many circumstances, the consequences for violating Jim Crow laws and rules were equally catastrophic (Tischauser 1-3). Jim Crow era witnessed an atmosphere prompting white people to demonstrate their anger and to participate in violent activities of hostility against Black people without fear of effects or retaliations. Blacks were the victims of violence activities of white people such as lynching, rape, and race riots which revealed poor safety and protection against Blacks. During the era, Black women were vulnerable to rape by White people which created a sense of powerlessness among the Black men to shield their wives, daughters as well as sisters. African American women were held liable for their victimization and stigmatized promiscuous and naturally debauched. Furthermore, Jim Crow can be argued to cultivate a culture that led to the creation of a system of economy and ideology premeditated to control as well as oppress all Black people. Black women felt impoverished to deal with the oppressive system of Jim Crow laws. On the other hand, White women’s virtues were vehemently protected which can be viewed as an instance of severe discrimination and oppression. Black people as labors had no protection and they suffered from atrocities at the hand of Whites who held property resulting in an increased mortality rate of Blacks (Marková, 16-18). In this regard, it can be argued that during Jim Crow era, the ability of Blacks to prosper, enjoy liberty and happiness was seriously impeded. At the same time, during this era, Blacks were legally subjugated which significantly influenced their ability to lead their life equally and freely in society with Whites. It can be evident from the healthcare access offered to Blacks during the Jim Crow era. Notably, Blacks were not provided with equal healthcare access to that experienced by Whites. By segregating laws, Blacks were worst affected in terms of their ability to acquire access to medical services and other medical treatment. More specifically, laws pertaining to equality before law and human rights failed to comply with true rule of law. Many laws during the Jim Crow era explicitly revealed that blacks were prohibited from accessing certain liberties. Evidently, African American families were prohibited from dwelling in the same home as White families. During the era, white people were involved in opposing blacks an equal quality life which severely affected the black community. Besides, during the era, a large number of deaths owing to Jim Crow laws existed. These laws were not only brutal but in certain circumstances these laws were life threatening as well. Subsequently, Black children seeking admission to the public school of their community based on non-segregated ground were prohibited. This kind of segregation can be purported to forbid the Blacks from equal protection of the laws (Marková 10-16). The segregation of black and white races during Jim Crow era significantly diminished the political power of black people. Evidently, Blacks were excluded from the polls and because of pressure by while people, very few African American politicians were elected to political office. As a result of this, Blacks had minimum influence on the decision making. Jim Crow placed dishonor Blacks, their rights and promoted the idea wherein they would feel themselves as second-class citizens. Thus, Jim Crow era can be seen to perpetuate an idea of white supremacy and black inferiority, and whites utilized an assortment of practices and laws to keep that racial superiority. Black people during Jim Crow era witnessed the trauma of torture and ill-treatment had been caused from severe pain and suffering. During this era, whites used abusive and dominating power to prove racial superiority and to execute control over Black African Americans. Blacks’ struggle as a social institution created a discriminatory and opinionated society. Although Jim Crow laws were intended to create a society where both Blacks and Whites are treated equally, nevertheless, the aspect of equality was left far behind into oblivion during this era. The bottom line of this discussion is that during this era abuse, suffering and oppression were more apparent in the lives of Black men, women and children (Marková 10-16). INFLUENCE OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENTS AND CIVIL RIGHTS LEGISLATION ON BLACKS The influence of the civil rights movements and civil rights legislation has been wide-ranging and enduring. The civil rights movements and civil rights legislation played crucial roles in the struggle of Black power. The significance of the term “black power” was subjected to constant argument during the civil right era. During the civil rights era, a number of legislations were enacted with the goal to make up for the injustice experienced by Blacks in the past decades (Marková 10-16). The civil rights movement was multilayered campaign to curtail the legalized segregation and the widespread inequalities confronted by Blacks during Jim Crow era. The campaign continued for decades and involved a number of lawsuits as well as demonstration and protest marches. Nevertheless, the civil rights movements and civil rights legislation brought significant changes in America. Blacks were no longer deprived of voting rights. Evidently, the Civil Rights Acts of the 1950 guaranteed rights to vote regardless of the race, religion and color, and the Act also permitted Blacks to eat, swim and shop as enjoyed by the Whites. Unlike during Jim Crow era, Blacks were allowed to attend integrated school during the civil rights era. The movement inculcated a sense of pride amid the Blacks that was not apparent during Jim Crow era. The Civil Rights Acts of 1964 prohibited any discrimination with respect to public accommodation. The Act granted attorney general with the power to safeguard the interest of American citizens including both Blacks and Whites against any form of discrimination concerning public facilities and housing. Under the Act, a federal Community Relations Service was established in order to support individuals as well as communities influenced by the civil rights problems. A federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission was also founded in order to promote equality amid the Black and White labors. The Civil Rights Acts of 1964 was the most inclusive legislation that has ever been passed in the history of America as far as the equality rights of the American citizens were concerned. The year from 1963 to 1965 that was marked by the evolution of civil rights movements and civil rights legislation brought unprecedented improvements to the lives of Blacks. Nonetheless, it can be argued that these improvements would not have been possible without the efforts of Blacks. Correspondingly, the primarily reason behind the success of civil rights movements in America was that more and more African Americans were involved in the civil rights movement that finally promoted white segregationists to renunciation. The hatred and the aggressive behavior revealed by Whites towards Blacks inspired millions of Americans to support black protesters and demonstrators, which was not apparent during Jim Crow era. The government officials during the civil rights era began to understand that race does not have any place in the democratic country and were dynamically involved in supporting complete freedom for Blacks. Enactment of the Civil and Voting Rights Acts signified not only legislative transformation for the lives of Blacks but above all, it also secured the ingenuity of the law (Marková 60-63) Unification of public amenities, as well as employment exhilarated the first victory. Suffrage without hurdles guaranteed the second victory. Nevertheless, the struggle could not be measured as complete. Eliminating segregation of schools based on race was an enduring process. The endeavor of enhancement of the living standards of Blacks with respect to housing and employment consumed considerable time. However, with the support of the legislations, Blacks could recognize their struggle for equality and freedom as basically accomplished. Black policemen were recruited and were permitted to be registered as well as their children were allowed to attend white schools. Civil Rights movements strengthened the political powers of Blacks that was not visible during Jim Crow era. Moreover, during Jim Crow era, Blacks were subjected to criminal injustice to a large extent but with the evolution of civil rights movements and implementation of civil rights legislation the degree of injustice suffered by blacks gradually began to decrease. Finally, it can be firmly claimed that civil rights movements and civil rights legislation have had positive influences on the lives of Blacks. Besides, civil rights movements and civil rights legislation marked the beginning of prosperity and happiness among Blacks in America that was not apparent during Jim Crow era ((Marková 71-75). CONCLUSION To sum up, it can be asserted that during Jim Crow era, Blacks were subjected to abuse, ill-treatment and harassment at every sphere of their life. They were banded from public and private institutions such as restaurants, parks, libraries, public pools and hotels. Jim Crow segregation affected almost all aspects of Blacks. Blacks had to deal with humiliation and dehumanizing practices in their day-to-day life. They were excluded from the Whiles. Black women were vulnerable to exploitation in the hands of Whites. Unification of public accommodations as well as employment underlined the first victory. Right to vote without hurdles guaranteed the second victory. Implementation of the Civil and Voting Rights Acts brought significant legislative transformation in the lives of Blacks. Conclusively, the influence of the civil rights movements and civil rights legislation on Blacks was optimistic. Thus, based on the arguments presented, assertion made by the patriarch of the Duck Dynasty family in the year 2013 claiming, “the Blacks” were not mistreated during the Jim Crow era; that “the Blacks” were “singing and happy” during Jim Crow and that “the Blacks” were not mistreated during Jim Crow can be challenged. He further claimed that the civil rights movements and civil rights legislation has turned “the Blacks” into angry, welfare recipients” can be challenged as well. It can be asserted that based on the identified facts during the era, the scenario seems to be starkly contrasting to the presented statement by Duck Dynasty family. Works Cited Marková, Hana, “The African American Civil Rights Movement as a Long Lasting Process of Struggle for Freedom.” Masaryk University (2008):1-81. Print. Tischauser, Leslie V. Jim Crow Laws. Canada: ABC-CLIO, 2012. Print. Read More