Statutory racial segregation

Date and country of first publication^[1]

1987
South Africa

Definition

Statutory racial segregation refers to the legal enforcement of racial separation or discrimination by government authorities. It typically involves the implementation of laws, policies, and practices that intentionally separate individuals or groups based on race.

One example of statutory racial segregation in the United States was the Jim Crow laws, which were enacted in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. These laws enforced racial segregation in public facilities such as schools, transportation, restaurants, and housing, primarily between White and African American citizens.

Another example is apartheid in South Africa, which was a system of racial segregation and discrimination enforced by the South African government from 1948 to 1994. This system separated communities based on race and limited the rights and freedoms of non-White citizens.

Statutory racial segregation has been widely recognized as a violation of human rights and has been condemned by international organizations such as the United Nations. Many countries, including the United States and South Africa, have since implemented legislation to dismantle these systems of segregation and promote racial equality. However, the effects of past segregation can still be felt in these societies, and efforts to address the resulting social and economic inequalities continue.

SF Synonyms

statutory race segregation