Segregation

Real World Example

During the Civil War and Reconstruction, segregation referred to the enforced separation of Black and white people in the United States, particularly in the South. It responded to deep-rooted racism and the belief in white supremacy, aiming to maintain the social and economic dominance of white people even after slavery was abolished. Segregation was legally enforced through Jim Crow laws, impacting daily life with separate schools, restrooms, and public facilities, often with inferior conditions for Black people. Today, segregation still matters because it laid the groundwork for ongoing racial disparities in areas like education and housing. For example, some schools in predominantly Black or minority neighborhoods may receive less funding, affecting the quality of education and opportunities available to students compared to wealthier, predominantly white areas.