Jim+Crow+Life

To set the stage for the civil rights movement, you must first understand the environment of segregation in the United States in the first half of the 20th century. What was life like in Jim Crow America? Cut and paste this information into a new page in your Unit 8 Online ISN. **** You (and your partner, if you have one) are African Americans who have lived through the era of Jim Crow in America. Using the links provided in this activity, respond to the “oral history questions” in first person. **

**Right after the Civil War, the 14th Amendment was ratified. What did the 14th Amendment provide for African Americans? What does “due process” and “equal protection of the laws” mean?** [|14th LINK] The 14th amendment guaranteed us rights and freedom. Due process means that we men get a fair trial by a jury. Equal protection of laws means no state can deny us life, liberty, and property.

**Unfortunately, your equal rights were challenged by the Supreme Court in the case of Plessy v. Ferguson. What do you remember about the facts, decision, and impact of this case?** [|Plessy LINK] I remember that Homer Plessy was accused of sitting in the White car. Plessy could passed easily as a white man but under the laws of Louisiana, he was considered black. Despite his light complexion, he was supposed to sit in the colored car. Plessy wanted to bring this to court. Plessy deliberately sat in the white section and identified himself as black. He was arrested and the case went all the way to the United States Supreme Court. Plessy argued that the Separate Car Act violated the thirteenth and fourteenth amendment. The court decided that it wasn't unconstitutional as long as the separate facilities were equal. I remember this really sparked a racial tension regarding the constitution.

**The laws developed in the South became known as Jim Crow laws. Who was this Jim Crow fellow? Did he write the laws?**[| Jim Crow LINK] Jim Crow was a white actor who acted like a very stereotypical black person. Jim crow now became an insult towards black people. Jim Crow was now a term used to disgrace Blacks. Jim Crow did not write these laws, but the laws were named after him because his name became so associated with the discrimination of blacks.

-Blacks and whites were not allowed to play games of cards or dice, or dominoes or checkers. -Separate schools were established for blacks and whites. It would be unlawful if any black kid attended a white school. -A black man could shake a white person's hand. -Blacks and whites were prohibited to eat together. Well, my family has never been educated to a very high extent because the all black schools aren't as good as the white schools. Also in restaurants, we get horrible service and our food isn't very good. We are the last hired and first fired which makes our money situation not very good.
 * What are some specific examples of the Jim Crow laws from southern states? How did the laws affect you?** [|Jim Crow Laws LINK 1] / [|Jim Crow Laws LINK 2] / [|Jim Crow Laws LINK 3]


 * What did Jim Crow America look like in the 1900s? What are some images that can help explain the realities of the time?** __Jim Crow Images LINK 1__ / [|Jim Crow Images LINK 2]

I think that Jim Crow resembles, cruelty, racism, and hatred. But almost every white person seems to love Jim Crow in the south and every one was following his cruel ways. For example, Lynching was where we would be hung up by our neck until we died. Another thing, everything as separate. The picture of the black man drinking out of what looked like a dirty and unsanitary cooler. Another example were protests about everything. Seating in theaters, busing, school, restaurants, and just about everything actually.

The Scottsboro case is when nine black youths were falsely charged with raping two white women in Alabama. All but one was convicted by the all white jury and sentenced to death. But the judges were changed many times and that caused the criminals to be convicted and free over and over again. In the end, one was sentenced to 75 years in prison, the 4 youngest were freed, and another escaped. I felt very upset by the decision. We were treated very barbarously.
 * What happened in the Scottsboro Case? How did it make you feel as an African American in the South?** [|Scottsboro LINK]

**What do some of your friends and family say about life in Jim Crow America? (listen to one or two)**[|Audio History LINK 1]. My friends and family have been deeply effected by Jim Crow laws. Especially when George Butterfield's uncle died when a white doctor arrived 8 hours after his accident which wasn't in time to save george's life.