AP+2014+Segregation




 * Aim- Eduardo Quintana Palacios **
 * – In order to understand the long reaching effects of segregation in the United States we must take a look into the conception of divided America. Segregation has encompassed the country ever since 1900’s even though African Americans were promised fairness and equal chances by many presidents. Instead in 1912 president Woodrow Wilson started to segregate and dismiss blacks from federal positions. But more importantly to the segregation in America is the Jim Crow laws (1817-1965). They were local and state laws that was mainly implemented in the south and were meant to create “separate but equal” living conditions for blacks. This gained support because of propaganda and messages that preached superiority of whites. Not to mention that the south had lost a massive amount of labor after the civil war and felt resentment towards blacks. **


 * Cultural-Elijah **
 * Segregation developed into an extremely controversial cultural issue in America, and the remnants of it can still be seen today. Ever since Americans were able to own Africans as property and even after their freedom, the culture that had been built on the foundation of slavery was hard to shake. For African Americans, “the promise of freedom held out the hope of self-determination, educational opportunities, and full rights of citizenship” (American History). This hope gave African Americans the motivation to stand up for equality. Eventually, they obtained equal rights and ended segregation, but communities remained separated. Today, cultural segregation can be found through living conditions and schools. Even now“ many black children still attend schools in racially and economically isolated neighborhoods, while their families still reside in lonely islands of poverty” (Strauss). Segregation may no longer be legal in the United States but, culturally, it still divides Americans in ways that the government has not been able to correct. **


 * Audience-Blake **
 * The audience of segregation was aimed at not only convincing the African American people of their “place” but also in dehumanizing them to white people. As said by Understanding Prejudice the process of segregation was entrenched in a gradual convincing, “This segregation occurs when we want to have at least a few same-group neighbors but don't similarly seek neighbors from other groups” (Understanding Prejudice). In this quote it is explored that the process of segregation was a cumulative one, where each generation grew more used to the status quo and advanced it even further until the next generation had an even more segregated status quo. As this process continued both groups began to develop very different cultures which only contributed to the alienation more, until eventually it came down to an us versus them mentality that resulted in African Americans being more and more weighed down with disadvantages. **


 * Historical-Sean **
 * Segregation has often been a powerful force throughout American history. “People’s ignorance, racism, and self-interest helped to sustain and spread racial divisions.” (Separate but Equal). Segregation of colors and whites has been very common throughout American history. Segregation comes from racism against blacks, which started with slavery. slavery was when blacks were forced to work harsh conditions with no pay. They had no rights, meaning they were technically segregated. Segregation as it is more commonly historically known began after slavery ended. It was created when “ new laws and old customs in the North and the South had created a segregated society that condemned Americans of color to second-class citizenship ” (Segregated America), meaning that the blacks were given inferior treatment. Even though blacks could be citizens, they did not have the same rights all the time. They had to sit at the back of the bus, attend different schools, and drink from different water fountains than whites. They were second-class citizens, and were never thought of as equal to whites. Eventually, blacks fought for their rights with peaceful protest. Now, blacks are considered equal with whites, and segregation is virtually non-existent. **


 * Works Cited **

Alfred Phillips “Thorns of the Roses” Author House. Print. 2007.

"Segregated America - Separate Is Not Equal." Segregated America - Separate Is Not Equal. American History, n.d. Web. 11 Oct. 2013.

 Strauss, Valerie. "Report: Public Schools More Segregated Now than 40 Years Ago."Washingtonpost.com. The Washington Post, 29 Aug. 2013. Web. 10 Oct. 2013.

"The Rise and Fall of Jim Crow." PBS. PBS, n.d. Web. 11 Oct. 2013.

 "Understanding Prejudice." Can You Avoid Segregation? Social Psychology Network, 2002. Web. 10 Oct. 2013.