BLACK &
WHITE AMERICA
In the 1950s, the separation of Black Americans and White Americans was further emphasized through racial segregation. After the Civil War in 1865, the slavery of Black people in America was effectively abolished but the racial inequality did not end here. According to an article by Patterson (2006),
a historian who wrote about the movement, after the abolishment of slavery, there was harsh reign of White supremacy that would rule for decades, especially in the Southern part of the states. A decision by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1954 nicknamed “The Brown Decision” led to the infamous racial segregation. Where white and “colored” people would be separated in schools, offices and work, hospitals, public transportation, restaurants, beaches and swimming pools, and even public restrooms. Some suburban communities even sported signs with “Dogs and Negroes are not allowed”, furthering the dehumanization of African-Americans in the first half of 20th century America. And although there are quite the number of liberal reformers present in the late 1800s and early 1900s, both black and white descent, their voices weren’t loud enough to be heard.