In the late 19th and early 20th century, a series of laws were enacted, primarily in Southern states, that mandated racial segregation. Blacks and whites could not stay in the same hotel, eat in the same dining room, or ride in the same railroad car. Interracial marriage was forbidden, and blacks could not own or occupy buildings in neighborhoods that were predominantly white. These mandates and prohibitions were known as the Jim Crow laws.
Though these immoral laws were repealed decades ago, a growing number of activists are calling for the return of racial segregation. They want historically black neighborhoods to remain black, and they are using both intimidation and the political process to push their agenda.
As an example of intimidation tactics, in August 2020, member of Black Lives Matter harassed home owners in a gentrified area of Seattle. One “protester” shouted,
Do you know that before your white ass came here, this was all black people? Do you know people like you came in here and basically bought all the land from the black people for less than what it was worth, kicked them out so you could live here?
If a group of whites engaged in such activities, they would properly be labeled racists and there would be justified outrage. But today, such racism is accepted and promoted.
As an example of using the political process, in Louisville, a city councilman has proposed a law designed to prevent gentrification in historically black neighborhoods. Among the provisions in the law are a mandate that all development be approved by a community association and non-residents cannot buy property en masse. The councilman said,
We [blacks] have been neglected and ignored for far too long. We need to have something on the books in place to make sure that doesn’t happen ever again.
While the law does not specifically prohibit non-blacks from buying property in the protected neighborhoods, the intention is clear: historically black neighborhoods should remain black. And to accomplish that, he proposes a law that essentially mandates racial segregation.
If a white councilman proposed a law designed to “protect” historically white neighborhoods, he would properly be labeled racist and there would be justified outrage. But today, such racism is accepted and promoted.
In mandating racial segregation, the Jim Crow laws were immoral and unjust. The current attempts to mandate racial segregation are equally immoral and unjust. Morality and justice are not determined by one’s skin color.