Legally mandated segregation

2013
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Legally mandated segregation refers to the practice of separating individuals or groups by law based on their race, ethnicity, religion, or other characteristics. It was enforced in various countries, including the United States during the era of Jim Crow laws and apartheid in South Africa.

During the era of legal segregation in the United States, which lasted from the late 19th century until the mid-20th century, laws were passed to separate people based on their race in public facilities such as schools, parks, restrooms, transportation, and even hospitals. These laws were rooted in racial discrimination and aimed at maintaining white supremacy by denying equal rights and opportunities to people of color.

Legally mandated segregation has been widely condemned as a violation of human rights and equality. It perpetuated social injustices, created barriers to equal education, employment, and social interactions, and contributed to systemic racism. The civil rights movement in the United States, along with grassroots activism and legal challenges, led to the dismantling of legally mandated segregation.

Today, laws and regulations have been put in place to prohibit segregation and promote equality, such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964 in the United States. While challenges persist and progress is ongoing, legally mandated segregation is generally considered incompatible with principles of justice, equality, and human rights.

Further reading

Cottrol R.J. (2013) "The long, lingering shadow: Slavery, race, and law in the American hemisphere", The Long, Lingering Shadow: Slavery, Race, and Law in the American Hemisphere, 9780820344768(), pp. 1-370. University of Georgia Press. DOI: [1]