Jim Crow Essay Example

📌Category: Historical Figures, History, History of the United States, Law, Racism, Social Issues, United States, World
📌Words: 569
📌Pages: 3
📌Published: 14 January 2022

Jim Crow, sometimes referred to as “slavery by another name.” was a period in time for change and that is exactly what many black Americans looked at it as.

In response to many of the new Jim Crow segregation laws that were created after reconstruction to separate freed blacks & white Americans we see monumental historical movements arise from black Americans in attempts to resist the oppression brought on to them by these dehumanizing laws. Black Americans fought back in many ways from protesting laws that restrict them from expressing their 15th amendment, to race riots in retaliation for violent crime imposed on their communities by white terrorist groups, and we also black women organizing and protesting for their place in society.

Terrorist acts from the Ku Klux Klan, a white supremacy group which emerged during the reconstruction era set to make life for black Americans dreadful was very common (Franklin and Higginbotham, 284). From the burning down of houses, churches, black institutions, and even broad daylight lynching. Black Americans responded in race riots to the unjustly killing of black Americans in cities such Chicago, and throughout America we see these riots emerge. In Chicago after a black boy was caught drifting near an area of the lake designated for whites only was stoned to death and drowned in the lake black Americans took to the street and rioted. This riot lasted many days leaving many Americans both black and white scarred, these riots showed white Americans that the perception of weak that they were used to was no longer there seeing black Americans began to fight back. 

Protests were also another response from black Americans to Jim Crow laws. (Franklin and Higginbotham, 267) Post reconstructions we see many southern democrats develop and pass new legislation which disenfranchises many black Americans from practicing their 15th amendment in order to keep hold of political and economic power. In 1875, the Mississippi Plan was passed; this plan, which had rewritten the Mississippi constitution, had added requirements such as a poll tax, literacy test, and instituting residency in order to participate in one's constitutional right, voting. After hearing of this passing black delegates gathered in protest against the passing of this plan, a protest that led them all the way to the white house.

Black Americans while being a group fighting for equality still had injustice within themselves black women were also fighting for their own right to vote and be treated and seen as equal to not only white men and women but black men. In Vanguards jones writes “They went to seek out the vote but on their own terms and reach cures that aided all of humanity” creating groups such as American Equal Right Associations, The National Woman Suffrage Organization which were led by black women would not only be a helping hand in ending Jim Crow segregation laws but addressing the issues of a black woman's role in society.  (Jones, Vanguard Chapter 5)

All these responses to Jim Crow, though not widely publicized or sometimes seen as small contributions in many eyes, were huge to changing America's relationship towards black Americans. It is important to acknowledge that without black men and importantly black women desires for equality many would not be in the position we are today.

Ultimately, Black Americans lived a life in America of hardship. Regardless of the trials imposed on them from the American government, American citizens, and white supremacist groups they held their head strong and fought to be a part, and to be acknowledged by a nation that did not value them. In the end though Jim Crow had advantage black Americans did not give through there prevalence their accomplishments speak for themselves.

+
x
Remember! This is just a sample.

You can order a custom paper by our expert writers

Order now
By clicking “Receive Essay”, you agree to our Terms of service and Privacy statement. We will occasionally send you account related emails.