Segregation is the practice of separating individuals based on characteristics such as race, with its roots in the colonial era and reinforced by laws like Jim Crow. The abolition of slavery did not end segregation; rather, systemic inequalities persisted, limiting the rights and opportunities of African Americans. Despite legal advancements in the civil rights movement, modern segregation continues to affect access to housing, education, and healthcare, impacting minority communities today.

1. Segregation

2. What is segregation
•Segregation is the practice of separating
people based on their characteristics such
as race, ethnicity, religion, or social class.
In the USA, segregation most commonly
refers to the forced upon separation of
racial groups, particularly the division
between Black and White Americans.

3. Origins of segregation - 1
•The origins of segregation in America can be traced
back to the colonial era when racial distinctions
started to appear among slave workers. In the
1600s, both Black and White slaves worked side by
side, though with differing outcomes: White slaves
typically earned their freedom after several years,
while Africans faced permanent years of slavery.
This change marked the beginning of systemic
racial distinctions, which continued as African
slavery became institutionalized.

4. Start of segregation
•As the colonial economy expanded,
Southern colonies introduced slave laws,
which legally restricted the lives of enslaved
people and forced strict separation between
enslaved Africans and White colonists.
These beliefs not only reinforced slavery but
also laid the groundwork for later
segregation by framing racial separation as
a natural and necessary social order.

5. End of slavery – wasnt enough
•With the end of the Civil War in 1865 and
the abolition of slavery, African Americans
reached freedom. Despite that, they faced
new challenges in the integration on
American society. Southern states limited
the rights of freed Black people and kept
them in a position of economic and social
inferiority, setting the start for segregation.

6. Rise of jim crows laws
•The Jim Crow laws in the late 19th century
intensified racial separation. These laws
were a set of rules and policies used to
keep Black and White people separated in
almost every aspect of life. Some key
points are important to mention about
those laws:

7. Key points abou those laws
Jim Crow laws required Black and White people
to use different schools, hospitals, bathrooms,
buses, trains, and even drinking fountains. The
idea was “separate but equal,” but facilities for
Black people were usually much worse.
Schools were segregated, which meant Black
students had to go to separate schools with
fewer resources, making it much harder for
them to get a good education.

8. Jim crow laws 2 – key points
Jim Crow laws prevented many Black
Americans from voting. This kept them
from having a say in government.
Black Americans often couldn’t get good
jobs because of segregation laws.

9. Abolishement of segregation
•In the 20th century, the Civil Rights Movement
fought against legalized segregation. In 1954,
the Supreme Court ruled that school
segregation was illegal. This decision started
the slow process of ending legal segregation,
with the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting
Rights Act of 1965. These laws officially banned
segregation in public places and jobs and
protected African Americans voting rights.

10. Modern segregation 1
•Although being abolished, segregation is still a thing
in American society. It appears in several areas.
In the mid-20th century, banks and government
policies prevented black and minority families from
purchasing homes in certain neighborhoods.

11. Modern segregtion 2
Due to segregation, white families have more
access to resources than black and Latino
families, which limits access to housing,
education, and job opportunities for these
families.

12. Modern segregation 3
Because schools in poorer areas are not financed,
many Black and Latino individuals have less access
to high-quality education. Without a good education,
it’s harder to get well-paid and create wealth.
Finally, minority neighborhoods often have fewer
healthcare facilities, resulting in poorer health
outcomes.

13. Effects of segregation
•Segregation has psychological and social effects
on individuals and communities. One of the
main impacts is on self-esteem. Living in a
system that treated people as inferior because of
their race caused many Black and Latino
individuals to assemble these negative beliefs,
affecting their confidence and mental health.

14. Effects of segregation 2
•Segregation also reinforced negative
stereotypes, making it harder for minority
groups to be seen as equal or capable.
•Finally, segregation created deep racial
tensions, as it divided society into groups with
different opportunities and privileges.

15. Conclusion
•In conclusion, segregation in the U.S. has left
permanent effects on economy, education,
and society, creating divisions that persist
today. Despite legal changes, segregation
continues to impact minority communities,
limiting their opportunities and reinforcing
inequalities.