The Strange Career Of Jim Crow Analysis

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Since its publication, C. Vann Woodward’s The Strange Career of Jim Crow remains one of the most fundamental books that informs readers about the history of the American South Although it has been misunderstood to highlight racial discrimination that existed between white and African- Americans, a closer assessment indicates that the author was specifically illustrating the history of the South. Through his writing, Woodward tried to solve the historical problems that existed in the South during the emancipation period. The segregation of Black Americans, Jim Crow Laws, and the integration of all people regardless of their race were among the main problems highlighted by the above- mentioned historian. It shows clearly that the author, Vann …show more content…
Terror tactics are used by supreme groups of White Americans who want to remain in control of the black slaves. Woodward notes, “Racism was conceived of by some as the very foundation of Southern progressivism” (91). There are civil rights groups that are struggling to have equal platform for both the whites and the blacks, yet some of the noble whites do not accept and support the initiatives. This leads to a slow realization of the changes until the 1960’s after the racial issues escalate and more international bodies had to …show more content…
The North is not sympathetic to the racial segregation that is going on in the South. Woodward notes, “Segregation was on the defensive; in some quarters, it was in retreat” (151). This is due to the statements issued by the leaders of some southern states who do not concur with the court’s ruling. The chapter goes further to highlight how the statements lead to an escalation in the protests by civil societies leading to the intervention of the Christian churches to try and arbitrate for peace and cohesion. The final chapter “The Career Becomes Stranger” highlights how violence because of the civil rights begins to occur both in the white and black cultures. There are rampant race riots across the cities leading to the intervention of the state. However, the blacks remain opposed to the nonviolent techniques that are used previously by the whites. Even though the hysteria is stopped, no party is satisfied. Towards the end, there seems to be some glimmers of

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