Jim Crow laws
Definition
Jim Crow laws were a collection of state and local statutes that legalized racial segregation and disenfranchised African Americans, primarily in the Southern United States, from the late 19th century through the mid-20th century. These laws institutionalized numerous economic, educational, and social disadvantages.
Analogy
Imagine a game where the rules were intentionally written to favor one team over another, making it nearly impossible for the disadvantaged team to win no matter how well they played; this scenario mirrors how Jim Crow laws systematically denied African Americans equal opportunities and rights.
Related terms
Disenfranchisement: The removal of the right to vote from a person or group, often used to describe how African Americans were prevented from voting under Jim Crow laws.
Segregation: The enforced separation of different racial groups in a country, community, or establishment, which was a fundamental aspect of Jim Crow laws.
Civil Rights Movement: A decades-long struggle by African Americans to end legalized racial discrimination, disenfranchisement, and racial segregation in the United States
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