Segregation
Written by Alecia, Jonathan L., Natalia, Anonymous
Segregation has been a problem for a long time. The most well-known form of segregation in the United States is racial segregation; there is also segregation between men and women. The most prevalent issue being between the white and black population and the other form being sexism. Through the decades past there have been numerous protests and movements that have brought us to a more equalized today (A Century of Racial Segregation).
Racial segregation was used to separate by race or more commonly skin color. In the past there were more examples of this than you could think of. The people of America had separate bathrooms, separate houses, separate seating, separate work forces, and even separate water fountains. There were many laws that made a black man inferior to a white man such as the Jim Crow Laws. Only in the last few decades have we experienced this desegregated society. Sexism is also a pressing issue in To Kill a Mockingbird. For as far back as history goes, the difference between men and women has been a subject of conflict. Most if not all cases of sexism are hostile to women in the form of stereotypical habits. Dating back centuries, the habits of women have been restrained. On the other side of the world in China, foot binding was a horrible process that crushed women’s feet. Back a few hundred years in England, women’s waists were to be severely shrunk and that caused many to pass out as they could not breathe. Even today we some employers requiring women to wear heels, like for waitresses in Las Vegas. Many women have developed chronic pains in their backs and feet because of this. Women were not given true political power until 1920 the right to vote (Women’s Labor History Timeline).
Racial discrimination was a key subject in Tom Robinson's trial. In the book it said that his case was hopeless due to the fact that it that he had to pass a racist judge and jury (Lee 211). Even through this, there are people like Atticus who can stand for the minority.“You know the truth, and the truth is this: some Negroes lie, some Negroes are immoral, some Negro men are not to be trusted around women – black or white. But this is a truth that applies to the human race and to no particular race of men” (204). In To Kill a MockingbirdScout’s aunt is consistent in telling Scout that she must act more femininely (229). Scout’s appearance in today’s world (in America at least) in considered normal yet her aunt’s southern ways insists on dresses and tea parties.
Slavery has been a part of our history for hundreds of years. Eventually abolitionist movements helped outlaw slavery, but still today in its minor form, is a controversial topic in society. In addition to that, there was also sexism that dated back to the farthest reaches of history, which only recently has changed (The Fight for Women’s Suffrage). These people should not have been treated that way. In today’s community the great majority would totally disagree with anyone who would think the slave owners or sexist figures were right. These people should have been given an equal chance to be a huge part of society like everyone else. Times have changed since the late 1800's and early 1900's but these problems are still very much alive until people accept each other for who they are.
Racial segregation was used to separate by race or more commonly skin color. In the past there were more examples of this than you could think of. The people of America had separate bathrooms, separate houses, separate seating, separate work forces, and even separate water fountains. There were many laws that made a black man inferior to a white man such as the Jim Crow Laws. Only in the last few decades have we experienced this desegregated society. Sexism is also a pressing issue in To Kill a Mockingbird. For as far back as history goes, the difference between men and women has been a subject of conflict. Most if not all cases of sexism are hostile to women in the form of stereotypical habits. Dating back centuries, the habits of women have been restrained. On the other side of the world in China, foot binding was a horrible process that crushed women’s feet. Back a few hundred years in England, women’s waists were to be severely shrunk and that caused many to pass out as they could not breathe. Even today we some employers requiring women to wear heels, like for waitresses in Las Vegas. Many women have developed chronic pains in their backs and feet because of this. Women were not given true political power until 1920 the right to vote (Women’s Labor History Timeline).
Racial discrimination was a key subject in Tom Robinson's trial. In the book it said that his case was hopeless due to the fact that it that he had to pass a racist judge and jury (Lee 211). Even through this, there are people like Atticus who can stand for the minority.“You know the truth, and the truth is this: some Negroes lie, some Negroes are immoral, some Negro men are not to be trusted around women – black or white. But this is a truth that applies to the human race and to no particular race of men” (204). In To Kill a MockingbirdScout’s aunt is consistent in telling Scout that she must act more femininely (229). Scout’s appearance in today’s world (in America at least) in considered normal yet her aunt’s southern ways insists on dresses and tea parties.
Slavery has been a part of our history for hundreds of years. Eventually abolitionist movements helped outlaw slavery, but still today in its minor form, is a controversial topic in society. In addition to that, there was also sexism that dated back to the farthest reaches of history, which only recently has changed (The Fight for Women’s Suffrage). These people should not have been treated that way. In today’s community the great majority would totally disagree with anyone who would think the slave owners or sexist figures were right. These people should have been given an equal chance to be a huge part of society like everyone else. Times have changed since the late 1800's and early 1900's but these problems are still very much alive until people accept each other for who they are.
Works Cited
"A Century of Racial Segregation - "With an Even Hand": Brown v. Board at Fifty (Library of Congress Exhibition)." Library of Congress. Web. 29 Mar. 2012.
"The Fight for Women's Suffrage." History.com. A&E Television Networks. Web. 12 Apr. 2012.
"Women's Labor History Timeline: 1765 - Present Day." March 03, 2009. NYSUT: A Union of Professionals. www.nysut.org." NYSUT. Web. 12 Apr. 2012.
"The Fight for Women's Suffrage." History.com. A&E Television Networks. Web. 12 Apr. 2012.
"Women's Labor History Timeline: 1765 - Present Day." March 03, 2009. NYSUT: A Union of Professionals. www.nysut.org." NYSUT. Web. 12 Apr. 2012.