Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
The laws did not exist everywhere. See my previous post.
Legalized segregation involved much more than just public schools.
For instance, the ICC did not ban segregated interstate transportation until 1961. Before that, it was practiced throughout the nation.
Similarly, it was 1957 before New York became the first state to ban racial discrimination in housing, both purchased and leased. Before that, discrimination was common and enforced by the law. There was no specific law which said blacks could not rent certain apartments, but in practice that's what happened and appealing to the courts or law had little effect.
The same can be said of restaurants, theaters and other public services. While black people were not specifically banned from such places by law, the common practice was that they would not be served, if not physically thrown out, and the law would not help them.
A couple of years ago, I read a story in the New York Times about a southern town--for some reason I am thinking it was in Tennessee--where some development was going on in a certain area. Part of the property where the development was had once been a municipal swimming pool, but only white people could swim there. When the segregation laws changed, rather than allow black people to swim in the town pool, the town simply filled it in with dirt and covered it over. The story came up when the developer excavated the old swimming pool and the Times interviewed people who remembered when the pool was open. Many of them were very vague about it, just referring to "back when all that stuff was going on" and how the town decided that the best way to handle integration at the town swimming pool was to just not have a pool.
That was Colorado, and it was Hispanics, not blacks. Of course, there is a possibility it happened in Tennessee, too. I can't find a link. The story has been in our local papers.
That was Colorado, and it was Hispanics, not blacks. Of course, there is a possibility it happened in Tennessee, too. I can't find a link. The story has been in our local papers.
No, this story was definitely about African-Americans and took place in the south. I will try to find it.
But interesting about the Colorado incident, as well.
Fresh Air broadcast a the program called A Freedom Ride Organizer On Non-Violent Resistance.
CORE's early groups of Freedom Riders rode buses through the Southern states, to see to it that the Supreme Court decision banning segregation in bus terminals was actually being enforced. The resulting drama focused national attention on the violence of Southern racism.
"By the time the buses reached Montgomery, [Ala.,] one of the buses had been burned to the ground," he said. "Freedom Riders had been brutally beaten. Jim Peck, a white Freedom Rider from New York was left for dead, lying in a pool of his own blood and he had 56 stitches taken in his head."
You can go listen to the broadcast by clicking below. It's will be available about 5 pm today or read the transcript on the same page.
Legalized segregation involved much more than just public schools.
For instance, the ICC did not ban segregated interstate transportation until 1961. Before that, it was practiced throughout the nation.
Similarly, it was 1957 before New York became the first state to ban racial discrimination in housing, both purchased and leased. Before that, discrimination was common and enforced by the law. There was no specific law which said blacks could not rent certain apartments, but in practice that's what happened and appealing to the courts or law had little effect.
The same can be said of restaurants, theaters and other public services. While black people were not specifically banned from such places by law, the common practice was that they would not be served, if not physically thrown out, and the law would not help them.
Segregated public transportation was not practiced throughout the nation, it was only practiced in the South.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Segregated public transportation was not practiced throughout the nation, it was only practiced in the South.
