JIM CROW Emancipation was not enough

What was Jim Crow?

A set of laws designed to keep African Americans as second class citizens.

Represented the legalization of Racism.

These laws were in place between 1877 and as recent as the mid 1960’s

The harshest Jim Crow laws were established in the southern United States.

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.

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.

Jim Crow Signs

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.

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.

1. Never assert that a White person is lying 2. Never impute dishonorable intentions to a White person 3. Never suggest that a White person is from an inferior

class 4. Never lay claim to superior knowledge or intelligence 5. Never curse a White person 6. Never laugh at a White person 7. Never comment on the appearance of a White female

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.

Including 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.

WARNING: IMAGES ARE DISTURBING!

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.

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, Picaninny, Uncle Tom, Jezebel, Mammy, Golliwog, and The Coon.

The Brute (1920 racist film) portrays African Americans as savage,

animalistic, destructive, and criminal.

The Picaninny 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.

Uncle Tom portrays African American men as submissive,

helpful servants.

The irony: • The 1852 book promotes anti-slavery • The early 1900’s film adaptations

(especially the 1903 version) having shockingly racist depictions of blacks

The Jezebel

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

Mammy 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.

Golliwog

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

The Coon

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

Racist Cartoons

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

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Jim Crow Museum website: http://www.ferris.edu/jimcrow/menu.htm

The Rise and Fall of Jim Crow PBS website: http://www.pbs.org/wnet/jimcrow/

Jim Crow’s 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?