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The Search Story

Imagine being told that you weren’t good enough, that you couldn’t do the things others could do, or that you couldn’t even live where you wanted, even if you had the money to do so. For many people growing up throughout the 19th century and early 20th century, they did not have to imagine this at all, it was their everyday life. African Americans living through this time had to deal with slavery and other racist ordeals manifesting their entire lives. When slavery finally become abolished, soon after Jim Crow laws cmae into play. These laws were a collection of state and local statues that legalized racial segregation. Although predominantly in the south, these laws affected many people throughout other portions of the nation. African American’s were even told where and when they were allowed to vacation, so many people could not even gain the chance to leave these states engulfed with segregation.

These laws affected almost every single aspect of African American lives. They were created with the intent to be “separate but equal”, as if we were two different races living amongst one another. As one might be able to tell ”separate but equal” isn’t all that easy, and in other words it was a way for whites to keep their “edge” on African American’s, while making it seem as though they are being equal. When in reality they would give all opportunities to white males, they would give African American’s lesser education, put them in worse areas, and do whatever they could to not allow African American’s the same chances the white men have,

My main intention with researching Jim Crow Laws was not only to learn more about the subject and the time surrounding it, but I wanted to discover what life was like under the laws.

When first starting the research, I searched what Jim Crow laws were and where they mainly took place. I quickly came across History.com with a definition and timeline for the events that took place. It seems as though “Jim Crow laws were a collection of state and local statutes that legalized racial segregation” These laws “existed for about 100 years, from the post-Civil War era until 1968,” and were created with the intention to “marginalize African Americans by denying them the right to vote, hold jobs, get an education or other opportunities. Those who attempted to defy Jim Crow laws often faced arrest, fines, jail sentences, violence and death. (History.com).” Looking at this definition in the 21st century will seem outrageous and make most people question how they came into play in the first place. An easy explanation to that is these laws came into effect after slavery was abolished. This was a new way for African American’s to get suppressed and keep the white man in power. These laws were very dominant in the southern states at the time and were heavily maintained. One of the major ways African Americans were suppressed was with “Black codes”. These codes were “strict local and state laws that detailed when, where and how formerly enslaved people could work, and for how much compensation (History.com).” These codes made it easier for states to put African Americans into “indentured servitude, [and] to take voting rights away.” It even gave them a way “to control where they lived and how they traveled and to seize children for labor purposes (History.com).” The legal system was so against African American people, and to make matters worse, a majority of policemen, judges, and other law enforcers were made up of confederate soldiers. This made African American’s more targeted in the eyes of the law, and made it harder for them to even win court cases.

With all the negatives that occurred during this time, there were some individuals and groups trying to gain equal rights for African Americans. Even with the help from “local governments and President Andrew Jackson, (History.com)”it still wasn’t enough. While all these people were trying their hardest to gain these equal rights, others met together to form organizations that did the opposite. One example being the ruthless Ku Klux Klan. The organization was “born in 1865 in Pulaski, Tennessee, as a private club for Confederate veterans.” These members would meet together and terrorize African American communities. Any action taken to help African Americans was often met with some sort of chaotic act from the Ku Klux Klan. As word spread of this terrifying organization, many African American’s grew even more scared for their lives. While African American lives were already at risk, this major racist organization was slowly on the rise. The Ku Klux Klan quickly grew from retired veterans, to major politicians, members within the government, and even the low life of towns would stick around just to be a part of the normal. This organization was created with the main intent to target African American’s, but soon started to target other groups such as “Jews, immigrants, leftists, homosexuals, Muslims and Catholics (WIkipedia).” However considering the times and segregation due to the Jim Crow Laws, African American’s were the easiest target.

This topic was a lot more in depth than I imagined it would be. Living your life under these laws as an African American, was nearly just as bad as being a slave. While researching this topic I learned more about Jim Crow Laws and how incredibly unjust they were. Alongside with that, I learned more in depth about the KKK. I found it ironic that individuals that fought for the country, and equal rights within it, think they may choose who is “worthy” of being treated equally. In the readings about the Ku Klux Klan, it seemed as though they looked at themselves as gods, as if they could do whatever they wanted. In a sense they really could do whatever they wanted., considering that many of the members reigned within the government, and other positions of power. My main intent in researching this topic was to discover how life was under Jim Crow Laws. I can say that I learned a lot that I didn’t know, and learned a lot that I should’ve known already. Being an African American during this time was definitely not6 easy and I praise and respect the individuals that did so.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ku_Klux_Klan

https://www.history.com/topics/early-20th-century-us/jim-crow-laws