Racial segregation

Racial segregation is a kind of formalized or institutionalized discrimination on the basis of race. It is characterized by the races' separation from each other when both are doing equal tasks, such as eating in a restaurant. However, segregation often allows close contact in hierarchical situations, such as when a person of one race is working as a servant for the member of another race. Segregation can involve spatial separation of the races, and/or the use of different institutions, such as schools by different races. See also: racism.

USA

After the Civil War abolished slavery in the U.S. Southern States, racial discrimination became regulated by the so-called Jim Crow laws, which mandated strict segregation of the races. Though such laws were instituted shortly after fighting ended in many cases, they only became formalized after the end of Reconstruction in the 1870s and 80s during a period known as the nadir of American race relations. This legalized segregation lasted up to the 1960s. White and black people would sometimes be required to use separate schools, public toilets, park benches, train and restaurant seating, etc. In some locales, in addition to segregated seating, it could be forbidden for stores or restaurants to serve different races under the same roof.

Related Topics:
Civil War - Slavery - U.S. Southern States - Jim Crow law - Reconstruction - Nadir of American race relations - 1960s

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Segregation was also pervasive in housing. State constitutions (for example, that of California) had clauses giving local jurisdictions the right to regulate where members of certain races could live. White landowners often included restrictive covenants in deeds through which they prevented blacks or Asians from ever purchasing their property from any subsequent owner. In the 1948 case of Shelley v. Kraemer, the Supreme Court finally ruled that such covenants were unenforceable in a court of law. However, residential segregation patterns had already been become established in most American cities, and have often persisted up to the present (see white flight for more explanation).

Related Topics:
Restrictive covenant - Shelley v. Kraemer - White flight

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"Miscegenation" laws prohibited people of different races from marrying. As one of many examples of such state laws, Utah's marriage law had an anti-miscegenation component that was passed in 1899 and repealed in 1963. It prohibited marriage between a white and anyone considered a negro, mulatto (one-half negro), quadroon (one-quarter negro), octoroon (one-eighth negro), Mongolian, or member of the malay race (presumably a Polynesian or Melanesian). No restrictions were placed on marriages between people that were not "white persons." (Utah Code, 40-1-2, C. L. 17, §2967 as amended by L. 39, C. 50; L. 41, Ch. 35.).

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In World War I, blacks served in the United States Armed Forces to some degree or another, including in the Army where segregated units were created. However, they were often poorly trained, equipped, and led, and low expectations meant low performance. Still, the 93rd Division, serving alongside the French (who needed troops, and with their use of Algerian, Moroccan, etc soldiers saw nothing wrong with black soldiers), performed well, with the 369th Infantry (formerly 15th New York National Guard) Regiment distinguished themselves, and were known as the "Harlem Hellfighters".

Related Topics:
World War I - United States Armed Forces

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During World War II, people of Japanese descent (whether citizens or not) were excluded from the West Coast and placed in internment camps, on the basis of their race.

Related Topics:
World War II - Excluded - West Coast - Internment camp

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Advocation to end government racial segregation grew among African Americans and progressives after the end of the World War. On January 26, 1948 President Harry S. Truman signed Executive Order 9981, ending segregation in the United States Armed Forces.

Related Topics:
January 26 - 1948 - President - Harry S. Truman - Executive Order 9981 - United States Armed Forces

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Institutionalized racial segregation was ended in practice by the efforts of such civil rights activists as Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King Jr., working during the period from the end of World War II through the passage of the Voting Rights Act and the Civil Rights Act of 1964 supported by President Lyndon Johnson. Many of their efforts were acts of civil disobedience aimed at violating the racial segregation rules and laws, such as insisting on sitting at the white part of the bus (Rosa Parks), or holding sit-ins at all-white diners.

Related Topics:
Civil rights - Rosa Parks - Martin Luther King Jr. - Voting Rights Act - Civil Rights Act of 1964 - Lyndon Johnson - Civil disobedience - Sit-in

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Although racial equality is, at least in theory, granted to all citizens in the US today, some see the USA Patriot Act as an attempt at covert racial segregation or discrimination against non-citizens. Arabs and Pakistanis, who have similar skin color, are allegedly subjected to different procedures that do not apply to others. However, the US has strict rules against racial profiling to prevent such segregation.

Related Topics:
USA Patriot Act - Arab - Pakistan - Racial profiling

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Not all racial segregation laws have been repealed in the United States, although Supreme Court rulings have rendered them unenforceable. For instance, the Alabama Constitution still mandates that "Separate schools shall be provided for white and colored children, and no child of either race shall be permitted to attend a school of the other race." http://www.legislature.state.al.us/CodeOfAlabama/Constitution/1901/CA-245806.htm A proposal to repeal this provision was narrowly defeated in 2004.

Related Topics:
Alabama Constitution - 2004

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