1. The Rise Above
Jim Crow
By: Janay Kelly, Kevin Akpan, Taylor Johnson, & Kendra Carter
April13, 2013
English 003/ Diaz
2. Background
The name Jim Crow is often used to describe the
segregation laws, rules, and customs which arose after
Reconstruction in the United States ended and
continued until the mid-1960s. The separations
between black and white people were most evident
during the enactment of Jim Crow laws. Between
the years 1876 and 1965, the racism was clear as
black people were forced to use different
bathrooms, water fountains, and dine in different
areas.
3. The Claim
Jim Crow Laws put white people at
an advantage over black people.
4. Steady Going Up
In the short story, "Steady Going Up," by Maya Angelou shows
discrimination toward the main character, Robert. He was a victim of
racial violence because of his skin color. Jim Crow laws put the white
men that assaulted him at an advantage because they knew that the
crime would be overlooked. Jim Crow Laws made it impossible for the
majority of black people to do anything but remain disadvantaged,
uneducated and poor as they’d always been. Although, in the short
story, Robert never gave up and even though the Jim Crow laws
attempted to cripple black people, black people still strive for success
and steady going up.
5. Opposing Views
“Separate But Equal”
Supporter of Jim Crow argued that segregation was
constitutional because the separate facilities and services were
equal although facilitates reserved for African Americans were
almost always in extremely poor condition and low quality.
“It was legal.”
In 1883, the Supreme Court restricted the Civil
Rights Act of 1875 to actions by state and local
government. It ruled Congress could not control
private persons or corporations. Segregation was
approved by the courts.
6. The Rebuttal
The fact that Jim Crow was an official law did not
make it right to discriminate against black people.
The facilities that the government and public
required for the colored people were very poor
quality. This was unfair and unjust to the black
community.
7. The Rebuttal Cont.
Smoking cigarettes is legal in most states in the
U.S. this does not make smoking cigarettes right.
In this case beating, discriminating black people
because the white community got away with it
did not make it right nor constitutional.
9. ConclusionDuring the Jim Crow
period African
Americans were always
at a disadvantage. The
Jim Crow laws made it
so it was certain that
blacks and whites were
separated and would
not have to encounter
unless necessary. As
stated in 1930, in the
law in Alabama, “It
shall be unlawful for a
negro and white person
to play together or in
company with each
other in any game of
cards or dice, dominoes
and etc."
Jim Crow Laws ended
in 1968, but there are
thing still today that
are still oppressing
the black community;
such as the voting
requirement that
effect the poor blacks.
Things such as this
have made it hard for
black people to
overcome many
different obstacles.
…black people still strive for success and are steady going up.
10. Sources
• "American History." Seperate Is Not Equal. N.p., n.d. Web.
http://americanhistory.si.edu/brown/history/1-segregated/jim-crow.html
• "Jim Crow Laws." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 04 Oct. 2013. Web. 10 Apr.
2013. Facilities, Toilet. National Parks Service. National Parks Service, 21 Mar. 2013.
Web. 10 Apr. 2013. PBS. PBS, n.d. Web. 10 Apr. 2013.
• "Remembering Jim Crow : Presented by American RadioWorks." Remembering Jim
Crow : Presented by American RadioWorks. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Apr. 2013.
• Warren, Robert Penn. Segregation, the Inner Conflict in the South. New York:
Random House, 1956. Print.
• Wormser, Richard. The Rise and Fall of Jim Crow. New York: St. Martin's, 2003. Print
• "American History." Seperate Is Not Equal. N.p., n.d.
Web.http://americanhistory.si.edu/brown/history/1-segregated/jim-crow.html "Jim
Crow Laws." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 04 Oct. 2013. Web. 10 Apr. 2013.
• Facilities, Toilet. National Parks Service. National Parks Service, 21 Mar. 2013. Web.
10 Apr. 2013.PBS. PBS, n.d. Web. 10 Apr. 2013.
• "Remembering Jim Crow : Presented by American RadioWorks." Remembering Jim
Crow : Presented by American RadioWorks. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Apr. 2013.
