What do Jim Crow laws enforce?

Jim Crow laws primarily enforced racial segregation in various aspects of public life in the United States, particularly in the Southern states, from the late 19th century until the civil rights movement in the 1960s. These laws created a system of institutionalized racial discrimination, where African Americans were legally separated from whites in schools, public transportation, restrooms, restaurants, and other public facilities. This separation was justified by the false notion of "separate but equal," a doctrine established by the Supreme Court in the 1896 case Plessy v. Ferguson. The laws severely limited the civil rights and social mobility of African Americans, imposing significant barriers to their participation in everyday life and governance. Recognizing the impact of Jim Crow laws is essential for understanding the historical context of racial relations and civil rights in America.