Racial segregation was a system of discrimination and inequality based on race that was enforced in many parts of the United States, particularly in the South, from the late 19th century through the mid-20th century.

Segregation laws, known as “Jim Crow” laws, mandated the separation of Black and white people in public spaces such as schools, restaurants, restrooms, and public transportation. These laws also restricted Black people from voting, owning property, and accessing economic and educational opportunities.

Segregation was deeply ingrained in society and perpetuated white supremacy and the belief in the inferiority of Black people. However, Black individuals and communities fought against segregation through various means, including legal challenges, grassroots organizing, and civil rights activism.

The Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s brought national attention to the injustices of segregation, leading to landmark Supreme Court decisions such as Brown v. Board of Education (1954) which declared school segregation unconstitutional. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 were also major legislative victories that helped dismantle segregation and advance racial equality in America.

Despite the end of legal segregation, its legacy continues to impact Black communities today through racial disparities in education, housing, healthcare, and criminal justice. Understanding the history of racial segregation is crucial to dismantling systemic racism and working towards a more equitable society.