JIM CROW Emancipation was not enough

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JIM CROWEmancipation was not enough
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WARNING

• Some of the images in this presentation are
  graphic. I will try to warn you ahead of time
  about images that may be disturbing.

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What was Jim Crow?

• Jim Crow was a set of laws designed to keep
  African Americans as second class citizens.
• Jim Crow laws represented the legalization of
  Racism.
• These laws were in place between 1877 and as
  recent as the mid 1960s
• The harshest Jim Crow laws were established in
  the southern United States.

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What was Jim Crow (cont.)

• Jim Crow laws operated under the belief that
  Whites were superior to African Americans in all
  ways including intelligence, morals, and
  civilized behavior.
• Some Ministers, Politicians, Teachers, Writers
  etc. reinforced these laws and beliefs and often
  referred to African Americans as Niggers, Coons,
  and Darkies, among other racial slurs.

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Example Jim Crow Laws

• Education Schools for white children and
  schools for negro children shall be conducted
  separately.
• Buses All passenger stations in this state
  operated by any motor transportation company
  shall have separate waiting rooms or space and
  separate ticket windows for the white and colored
  races.
• Prisons The warden shall see that the white
  convicts shall have separate apartments for both
  eating and sleeping from the negro convicts

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Jim Crow Signs
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Jim Crow Etiquette

• Beyond the actual Jim Crow laws African Americans
  had to act in a certain manner around Whites
  often referred to as Jim Crow Etiquette. A few
  examples of Jim Crow Etiquette
• A Black male could not shake hands with a White
  male because it implied being socially equal.
• A Black male could not shake hands with a White
  woman because he risked being accused of rape.
• Blacks were not allowed to show public affection
  toward one another, especially kissing, because
  it offended Whites.
• White motorists had the right of way at all
  intersections.

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Black Codes

• Stetson Kennedy, the author of Jim Crow Guide,
  offered these rules that African Americans were
  supposed to follow around Whites (often referred
  to as Black codes)
• Never assert that a White person is lying
• Never impute dishonorable intentions to a White
  person
• Never suggest that a White person is from an
  inferior class
• Never lay claim to superior knowledge or
  intelligence
• Never curse a White person
• Never laugh at a White person
• Never comment on the appearance of a White female

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Violence during the Jim Crow Era

• African Americans who did not abide by the Jim
  Crow laws faced dangerous consequences.
• Lynching mob violence against African Americans,
  capital punishment without the sanction of law,
  and ritualized torture.
• During the Jim Crow era many African Americans
  were lynched for disobeying or rebelling against
  the Jim Crow Laws.
• Many of these lynchings occurred in what was
  referred to as the Red Summer of 1919. That year
  alone there were 90 lynchings.
• Many courageous African Americans and Whites
  rebelled against these laws, but the threat of
  violence kept the Jim Crow system in place.

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Warning Images May Be Disturbing!
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But Wait I thought Jim Crow was a person?

• The name Jim Crow actually came from a song from
  a popular minstrel show.
• Minstrel shows featured White actors who smeared
  their faces with black face (burned cork).
• These actors traveled around towns and cities
  doing a sort of song and dance show. These shows
  became popular entertainment in many southern
  towns.
• These shows portrayed African Americans as dumb,
  obedient, and lazy. Thus creating negative
  depictions or caricatures of African Americans.

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Other Stereotypes of African Americans during Jim
Crow

• Minstrel shows were not the only ways that
  African Americans were stereotyped during this
  time.
• Many negative caricatures of African Americans
  were depicted in books, magazines, cartoons,
  television shows, movies etc.
• Caricature An outrageously distorted and
  inferior image
• Negative portrayals include The Brute or the
  Mammy, among others. Today, people use these
  terms offensively or sometimes without knowing
  what they mean.

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Example 1
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Example 2

• The Picaninny was portrayed as African American
  children who were dirty, wide mouthed, buffoon
  children.
• They were often depicted eating watermelon and
  getting chased and eaten by alligators.

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Example 3
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Example 4

• African American women were often portrayed as
  hyper sexual, seductive, and promiscuous.

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Example 5

• The Mammy was portrayed as a heavy set woman who
  is always smiling and laughing.
• She is a loyal servant to her White family (the
  family she works for), but almost totally ignores
  her African American family.
• Before Jim Crow this caricature was often used to
  justify slavery.

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Example 6

• Golliwogs were grotesque creatures with jet-black
  skin, large white eyes, and red or white clown
  lips

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Example 7

• The Coon was portrayed as a childish adult who
  was easily frightened, stupid, and unable to
  speak intelligently

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Example 8

• During Jim Crow and beyond these African American
  stereotypes and caricatures showed up in popular
  childrens cartoons. (including the original
  Elmer Fudd)

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FOR MORE INFORMATION

• Jim Crow Museum website http//www.ferris.edu/ji
  mcrow/menu.htm
• The Rise and Fall of Jim Crow PBS website
  http//www.pbs.org/wnet/jimcrow/

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Jim Crows Legacy

• What influence did the Jim Crow laws have on the
  Civil Rights Movement?
• What influence did the Jim Crow laws have on
  Segregation especially in the schools?
• How do you think Jim Crow affected the Little
  Rock Nine?
• Do you think Jim Crow has any influence or effect
  on modern racial issues?