How was life for Black people different before the 1960s?
Life for Black people before the 1960s was marked by widespread segregation, discrimination, and systemic racism. Black people were subject to various forms of overt racism and were often denied basic rights and opportunities that were afforded to white people.
Segregation laws, known as Jim Crow laws, enforced the separation of Black and white people in public spaces such as schools, restaurants, and public transportation. Black individuals were also frequently denied access to quality education, employment opportunities, and housing in predominantly white neighborhoods.
Black people were also subjected to violence and intimidation by white supremacist groups, such as the Ku Klux Klan, who used tactics like lynchings and bombings to instill fear and maintain white supremacy.
Overall, life for Black people before the 1960s was marked by pervasive discrimination and hardship, as they fought for equal rights and opportunities in a society that systemically oppressed them.