Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Whites Only


This picture I have come across takes us back to the days that sparked the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s. This is a picture of a water fountain that can be found in many public establishments and institutions, but as you can clearly see, there is a sign is something wrong with this picture. Above this water fountain hangs a sign that reads “Whites only”. Although slavery ended with the Civil War over a century ago from this time period, African Americans faced more hardships with racism and inequalities. Segregation was very prevalent in this era; white people and black people were not allowed to eat in the same restaurants, use the same restroom, and go to school with each other. Like most people, I am somewhat befuddled on the matter of why this racism came about. I understand that the times were different, but how could people in the 1950s and 1960s overlook the facts they were harming their neighbors, brothers, and sisters? White people would not be hurt by African Americans if they drank from the same fountain: it was the sure unjust hatred that brought this about. However, this sort of discrimination could be argued to be a blessing in disguise. It is because of things that African Americans started waking up, and standing up for themselves. These bits and pieces of segregation brought African Americans together, and eventually led to the fight for their equality, and freedom, which was eventually obtained. I believe racism still exists in this world today, and we may need to work hard to eliminate it completely, but we have come a long way, and the steps we as a nation have taken are very positive.

- Jake Robinson

3 comments:

  1. The reason I find this image so shocking and disgusting is because it shows how racism and discrimination were actually acceptable by the public. It wasn’t just one man’s personal issue of prejudice; it was the rule of the land. Even after the passage of momentous legislation in the 1960’s, racial hatred did not disappear. The attitudes and actions of the majority of white people, especially in the South, did not change even though by law they were required to. The United States grew and evolved from that hostile period in the late 60’s thanks in great part to the leaders of the Civil Rights movement. If it were not for those brave individuals, where would America be today? Oftentimes young people take equality for all people for granted because it seems like such a logical and practical principle. However, it was just our grandparent’s generation that many people defied this value. Classes like Pioneers of African American Literature help students to bridge the gap between the past and all of its horrors and today. We have not reached a point of total equality, but it’s the work that has been done and the work still being done today that counts and pushes our nation forward.

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  2. This picture is pretty incredible. Not in a good way, but it is crazy to think about the standard of living back during this time. What is shown in the picture was considered "normal" for most white people. It also explains why you still see several of the older white population still displaying racism. It makes me wonder if I would have been the same way. However, I do not agree with this idea of public discrimination what so ever. Yet, I believe that it is not fair to say that most whites were racist at this time because of the simple fact that many of them were raised to behave this way and thought of this as the standard way of life. I am sure that several people that lived during that time period now understand the ignorance that coincided with this form of public segregation. I can only wonder what it would be like to live in this time of white and black restrooms, buses, restaurants, or water fountains. I am dumbfounded by the oblivion that white people portrayed during this era.

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