The growth of Segregation and racism

This belief gives the dominant group a sense of superiority over the other. During the slavery period racism was rampant across the European continent. People abducted, bought or even stolen from Africa were brought to the continent and made to serve as slaves. They were called ‘negroes’ or people of color. Their dark skins caused them to become racially judged. African Americans faced a lot of struggles under the American rule. Jim Crow played some major roles the impacted the growth of racial segregation in America. He passed laws that undermined the capabilities of the African Americans in the United States during the 19th century. Despite the passing of the laws to give the blacks rights to vote and be educated, their schools were set apart from those of the whites.

They could not interact socially or in any form. Laws were passed to protect them from discrimination and racism. The African-Americans faced struggles and in their endeavor to be recognized as human, people from the race rose to become activists and formed their own movements to voice their concerns. Others such as DuBois voiced the ‘Negro’ neglect through writings. Through his book authored in the early 20th century DuBois tells the struggles and impacts that racism had on the black folk. He expresses the negative effects it had on this group of people. And with them came the people they had learnt to associate with traits of unworthiness. In the 17th century Africans crossed with the Britons to North America and the rise of African-Americans came to birth. Since the Britons considered the blacks as filth, the same prejudice was introduced in America and found a ground among the white Americans.

While the 17th century was coming to a closing end, race was easily become a basis for slavery. Therefore, the black people were considered as slaves who served the whites as their master. To this effect, if any child was born from interactions between a white and black was considered a slave and got very minimal privileges. The 17th century was the base of slavery, segregation and racial discrimination of the blacks. During this period slavery was considered as an important aspect to economic growth and attainment of superiority in the world (Gale np). To this effect, slaves were considered as non-human, hence dehumanizing them and calling them names such as black domestic animals. To ensure that these prejudices were justified the whites focused on the un-civilization and non-Christianity attributes of the blacks.

In Philadelphia the constitutional convention was held and the founding father of the nation drafted a new government that would establish better justice systems (Gale np). At the convention slavery was not discussed due to its negativity that influenced emotional feelings. Although, majority of the founding fathers owned slaves and just hoped that the period for slavery would fade in a slow phase to protect the nation’s economy. The only topic of discussion that concerned the blacks and slavery in the convention was the problem on whether blacks should be included in the census. The counting of slaves in the national census posed a threat and a benefit to both the southern and northern regions of America. This legislation was passed on in 1808. And after the Civil War in America slavery came to an end (Gale np).

Despite the abolishing of slavery in United States, the lives led by the blacks did not improve a great deal. To uphold the freedom of the freed slaves, amendments were made to the constitution. These amendments ensured that the blacks had rights in America. Segregation was the act of setting the blacks apart from the whites. Each group had different amenities, such as education, medical care, housing and working. Through these laws, the inferiority of the blacks was greatly addressed and run out through much of the 20th century (Gale np). Jim Crow was a character that had gained popularity in America during the first years of the 19th century. This character was associated with the uncivilized and uneducated nature of the blacks. This was strongly opposed politically and socially. The Jim Crow era was heavily adapted in the southern states.

Segregation had become a norm, whites had their own different areas for eating, drinking, enjoying entertainment and playing, while the blacks had their own. Schools and religious places were also different, segregation intensified with blacks having to sit at the back of cars or buses and had to relinquish their sits if ordered to. Sickly white people could not be cared for by the blacks. Even though they were registered as voters they could not vote. High numbers of blacks were registered to vote but as years passed they dropped. Those who had the guts to violate the laws could be punished severely (Samuels np). In conclusion the Jim Crow era was the epitome of segregation and racism in America. The laws set by the prejudices were unfair and unjust for the black people.

They could be involved in voting processes and even some got enrolled to the all-whites schools. These improvements in the black’s lives were influenced by constant struggle and motivation to ensure better lives for themselves and their generations. Years later, America has incorporated equality where the African American and white Americans work together to a better and great United States of America. Works Cited Gale, Thomas. Racial Segregation In The American South: Jim Crow Laws.