Jim+Crow+Life

**Right after the Civil War, the 14th Amendment was ratified. What did the 14th Amendment provide for African Americans? What does “due process” and “equal protection of the laws” mean?** [|14th LINK]

The 14th Amendment granted that all African Americans could not be denied citizenship based on their race or gender. There can not be an unfair trial just because the defendant is African American, and the government will protect everyone the same, no matter what their race. That means that the police can not protect whites better than they can protect me.

**Unfortunately, your equal rights were challenged by the Supreme Court in the case of Plessy v. Ferguson. What do you remember about the facts, decision, and impact of this case?** [|Plessy LINK]

Because there were now segregated cars and buses, one man sat in the white section and identified himself black. He was arrested and he took the case to the Supreme Court saying the Segregated Car Act was unconstitutional. The Supreme Court said the act was constitutional and that there were able to be segregated utilities as long as they were "equal". He is an inspiration for me and I think that whole set of acts and laws is ridiculous.

**The laws developed in the South became known as Jim Crow laws. Who was this Jim Crow fellow? Did he write the laws?**[| Jim Crow LINK]

"Jim Crow" was really just a white actor in face paint pretending to be a black man. He was highly stereotypical and made the public believe that we African Americans are lazy and are not worthy to be with whites. He did not write the laws but because he was so anti-African American, any laws against blacks in the South were called Jim Crow Laws.


 * What are some specific examples of the Jim Crow laws from southern states? How did the laws affect you?** [|Jim Crow Laws LINK 1] / [|Jim Crow Laws LINK 2] / [|Jim Crow Laws LINK 3]

These laws are incredibly outrageous. They say that even if i can pay for it, and if i want to, I can't go to a "white" school. I can't ride a train without sitting in the "colored" section. These laws are changing my life and they way I feel about myself.


 * What did Jim Crow America look like in the 1900s? What are some images that can help explain the realities of the time?** __ Jim Crow Images LINK 1 __/ [|Jim Crow Images LINK 2]

The pictures of a white man forcing a black man to leave the train because of his skin color. This picture is just so very true, these laws made life hard for an African American.

Nine innocent black children were accused of raping two white women. 8 of the 9 were sentenced to death. They were innocent and I think this is just another example of the horrific treatment of African Americans.
 * What happened in the Scottsboro Case? How did it make you feel as an African American in the South?** [|Scottsboro LINK]

**What do some of your friends and family say about life in Jim Crow America? (listen to one or two)** [|Audio History LINK 1]