Jim Crow:

the System of Segregation in the South


Jim Crow: the systematic practice of promoting the segregation of the Negro peoples; favoring or promoting the segregation of Negroes.

Segregation: the policy or practice of imposing the social segregation of races, as in schools, housing, and industry especially discriminating practices against nonwhites in a predominantly white society



The Jim Crow Movement was the single most influential factor that led to the immobilization of the black population in America from 1865-1950. This movement was a technique on the part of southern landowner, to get around the assurance of basic rights for blacks. This movement contributed to the invisibility of blacks in white society. The most detrimental effect was that on the education of black children in the South. Jim Crow hindered any effort made towards uplifting the black community. It allowed the government to completely neglect the educational needs of black children while cultivating those of white children. The system left black schools grossly unequal to whites in almost all respects. The conditions of black schools were substandard due to the over crowding, lack of supplies, poorly constructed schoolhouses and poorly trained teachers. This left millions of black children at a great disadvantage. As a last resort, many blacks moved North or sent their kids North to be educated in a better environment. Others opted to send to their children to The Penn Center for instruction. Those parents who could afford to had no choice but send their children to public schools.


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