Jim Crow Laws Research Paper

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Pages: 4

Racism and Jim Crow Laws After the Civil War, the Union’s victory promoted the end of slavery. Although slavery was abolished, there were still tensions between the White and Blacks that made it impossible for the two groups to coexist. Especially in the South, the development of Jim Crow laws came about. These laws enforced racial segregation and discrimination, primarily targeting African Americans. Racism continued over the decades and African Americans felt that they could never be truly “free” from living under the vicious laws separating them. When considering racism and how it affects the enforcement of Jim Crow laws, it is important to consider the legal bias and the selective enforcement when addressing this issue. The laws supporting Jim Crow were biased, …show more content…
Especially in the South, these laws were enforced on whoever and whenever, no matter where you came from. Evidently, these laws led to the death of Emmett. As he experienced brutality from white men, it is clear that he was being punished for breaking such laws even though he was a visitor from the South. He was targeted as a black man and faced deep consequences because of his skin. With this, it is seen that because African Americans were targeted by racists, the Jim Crow laws were more surreal and harsh on them. Despite the abolition of slavery, Jim Crow laws reinforced systemic racism, putting African Americans at a significant disadvantage. Legal bias and selective enforcement fueled a vicious cycle of oppression, molding public attitudes that saw African Americans as inferior and unworthy of equal rights. African Americans experienced disproportionate punishment and violence under Jim Crow, and their humanity was ignored by a legal system that backed white supremacy. The tragic case of Emmett Till epitomizes the harsh realities of this age, in which racial hate and biased officials resulted in the unjust persecution of African