How did Jim Crow Laws become something controversial - Free Essay Example

In the beginning of 1880s going into the 1960s, a majority of American states enforced segregation through â€Å"Jim Crow† laws, which were so called after character black in minstrel shows. From Delaware to California, and from North Dakota to Texas, many states (and other cities too) could impose legal punishments on people for consorting with members of another race. Before Jim crow laws there was an era of reconstruction, after that era in 1877 Jim crow laws began to be passed in the South. The laws were implemented by southern states and revolved around segregation. There was many types of laws that forbade certain things for the dark colored, but the most common types forbade intermarriage, ordered business owners and public institutions to keep their black and white clientele separated. Jim Crow was not an actual person but they were actually statutes and ordinances established between 1874 and 1975. What these laws do was that it separated the white and black races in the American south. There was a theory that said it was made to create â€Å"separate but equal†. While these laws were in action education was also segregated as were public facilities, such as hotels and restaurants †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ Many people think that Jim Crow laws was something different than what is actually was. The Term â€Å"Jim Crow† originated from a black character in an old song and was also the name of a popular song back in 1820’s. In the beginning of 1880’s, the term â€Å"Jim Crow† was side usage as a reference to practices, laws or institutes that arise from or sanction, this was a physical separation of black people from white people. Here are a sampling of laws from various states in which â€Å"Jim Crow† laws took action. Many of these laws were required in some states such as Alabama. For example, Nurses: It was said that no person or corporation shall require any white female nurse to nurse in words or rooms in hospitals, either public or private, in which negro men are placed. Something else they were required in was Pool and Billiard Rooms. It was unlawful for a negro and white person to play together or company with each other at any game of pool or billiards. Someone who had a major impact on Jim Crow laws was Rosa Parks. After her actions things began to change and Jim Crow laws were challenged in a way.