Beach segregation

2017
south africa

Beach segregation refers to the practice of maintaining separate facilities, services, and areas at the beach based on race, ethnicity, or other discriminatory factors. It was prevalent during the period of racial segregation in many parts of the world, particularly in the United States before the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s.

In the United States, beach segregation was primarily enforced through the system of Jim Crow laws, which mandated separate facilities for Black and White individuals. These laws aimed to reinforce racial hierarchies and maintain racial segregation in all aspects of life, including public spaces like beaches.

As a result, many beaches were racially segregated with designated areas for Black beachgoers, often with inferior facilities compared to those available to White beachgoers. These segregated areas were usually overcrowded, had limited amenities, and were often located in less desirable parts of the beach.

Beach segregation was a form of institutionalized discrimination that perpetuated racial disparities and contributed to the unequal treatment and opportunities available to different racial groups. It was eventually challenged and dismantled as part of the Civil Rights Movement, leading to desegregation of public spaces, including beaches.

Today, beach segregation is widely recognized as a violation of human rights and equality. Laws and regulations now ensure that public beaches are open to everyone regardless of their race, ethnicity, or background, promoting inclusivity and equal access to all individuals.

Further reading

Rogerson J.M. (2017) "'Kicking sand in the face of apartheid': Segregated beaches in South Africa", Bulletin of Geography. Socio-economic Series, 35(35), pp. 93-109. Nicolaus Copenicus University Press. DOI: 10.1515/bog-2017-0007