Humanities Homework Help

please respond to isabel with 200 words

1) how did laws and customs create a racially segregated society?

There are many many examples that created a racially segregated society back in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century. Some examples that stood out to me during the lecture were; voting rights, segregation laws, and Jim Crow. To inhibit black citizens from voting in the late 1800’s, white southerners imposed literacy tests, poll taxes, and property qualifications. These solutions created weakened enforcement of Amendments as other civil rights laws. The next example is the first well known segregation laws that involved public transportation such as street cars and trains. As well as in some areas black citizens were not allowed to stay in certain hotels or eat in particular restaurants. Jim Crow was the most astounding example to learn from the lecture. Jim Crow created an extremely segregated society. For example, black and white people did not shake hands, black people did not look at white people directly, white customers were served before blacks and so much more. I also found it interesting to learn that when it came to voting it was not just black citizens who were being segregated, it was also poor white citizens as well. Only white elites wanted to be able to vote. Another interesting fact I learned from the lecture was that the north and the south were just as to blame fro racial segregation and discrimination.

2) How do we see late nineteenth / early twentieth century discrimination and segregation practices impact our lives today?

Although there is still segregation and discrimination in todays society, America has come a long way. It is sickening to read and hear what so many black citizens as well as what immigrants went through during the late nineteenth century and early twentieth century. During these crazy times it is very difficult to give an opinion or share thoughts about a topic without being brought down. I believe that every person has a right to believe what they believe and think what they think even if it is different from my own. There are always going to be good people and there are always going to be bad people. So yes there will always be discrimination in a work place, political views, social media etc. No matter race or ethnicity. I have never felt that I was superior to anyone and have seen first hand how this country can discriminate. My grandparents came from South America to New York back in the 1960s. My grandfather came with no money, could not speak one word of English, and nowhere to live. He worked hard every single to get to where he is now. He nor my grandmother let anyone bring them down for who they are and they are proud of their ethnicity and despite their hardships they are proud of this country. I hope in the future everyone can learn from each other and listen before judging someone.