The Adversities of My Ancestors

  An awful lot of people come to college with this strange assumption that segregation is no longer existent in
American schools and universities. On the other hand I strongly disagree, although Jim Crow laws prohibit inequality, unenforced laws are frequently ignored by civilians. During the twenty first century you'd expect African Americans to be treated with racial fairness, and not have to deal with the same adversities as our ancestors. Although African Americans are not enslaved by white Americans any longer negative stereotypes apply in many situations both academically and personally.

  Jim Crow laws were state and local laws in the United States that mandated de jure (imposed by law) racial segregation in all public facilities. Which consequently led to treatment , financial support and accommodation that were inferior to those provided for white Americans. Examples of Jim Crow laws are the segregation of public schools, and public accommodations, such as inns, and transportation. The Civil Rights Act of 1875 stipulated a guarantee that everyone regardless of ethnicity were entitled to the same treatment. Although the supreme court case Plessy v. Ferguson(1896) demonstrates that Jim Crow laws are ignored by civilians. Due to the fact that Homer Plessy was arrested for not sitting in the colors only car. These findings contributed to approximately sixty more years of legalized discrimination against black and colored people in the United States. Although circumstances are not as severe as those our ancestors suffered , segregation is far from nonexistent.

  Modern day segregation is most evident through negative stereotypes.A stereotype is a widely held but fixed and over simplified image or idea of a particular type of person. Although we all belong to a group in which negative stereotypes exist, African Americans get the worst of it due to their previous condition of servitude. These stereotypes derived from how slave owners used to view slaves. For example most African Americans are stereotyped as poor and uneducated, and the list goes on. I challenge you to ask  yourself what you think of the average African American upon first site. Sure every individuals answers and thoughts would vary although a complied list would be dominated by MOSTLY negative traits and characteristics.

  In conclusion some people may disagree that segregation is still existant in American schools and universities. In attempt to demonstrate racial fairness Jim Crow laws were established. Although ignored white Americans developed a nonchalant attitude towards African Americans. And this blog is to recognize these adversities that my ancestors suffered as well as point out the fact that they are still existent.