African american segregation

Date and country of first publication

1996
United Kingdom

Definition

African American segregation refers to the historical practice of segregating African Americans from white Americans in various aspects of society, most notably in the United States. Segregation was deeply rooted in systemic racism and was enforced through both formal laws and informal social norms.

The period of legalized segregation, known as the "Jim Crow" era, lasted from the late 19th century to the mid-20th century. During this time, African Americans were subjected to unequal treatment and were separated from whites in public facilities such as schools, restaurants, theaters, and public transportation. They were often denied access to basic rights and services, including voting, employment, and housing.

Segregation was legally challenged in the mid-20th century, particularly through landmark Supreme Court cases like Brown v. Board of Education in 1954, which declared racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional. The Civil Rights Movement, led by prominent figures like Martin Luther King Jr., fought against segregation and other forms of discrimination, eventually leading to the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Although legal segregation has been abolished, the effects of this history continue to be felt today. Segregation has contributed to enduring socioeconomic disparities between African Americans and white Americans, including in areas like education, employment, healthcare, and criminal justice. Efforts to address these issues and promote racial equity and inclusion remain ongoing.

Notes

At its current state, this definition has been generated by a Large Language Model (LLM) so far without review by an independent researcher or a member of the curating team of segregation experts that keep the Segregation Wiki online. While we strive for accuracy, we cannot guarantee its reliability, completeness and timeliness. Please use this content with caution and verify information as needed. Also, feel free to improve on the definition as you see fit, including the use of references and other informational resources. We value your input in enhancing the quality and accuracy of the definitions of segregation forms collectively offered in the Segregation Wiki ©.

Further reading

Peach C. (1996) Good segregation, bad segregation. Planning Perspectives, 11(4), 379-398. [1]

Cashin S.D. (2001) Middle class black suburbs and the state of integration: A post integrationist vision for metropolitan America. Cornell Law Review, 86(4), 729-730. [2]

Iceland J. (2004) Beyond Black and White Metropolitan residential segregation in multi ethnic America. Social Science Research, 33(2), 248-271. Academic Press Inc..[3]

Martinez M.L. (2016) Neighborhood context and the development of African American Children. Neighborhood Context and the Development of African American Children, 1-153. Taylor and Francis Inc..[4]