Legalized Segregation in the United States Finally Ended 55 Years Ago

I missed publishing this yesterday, because I only saw the link to this article about such a historical anniversary too late for me to do much about it. 

However, it seemed like something that was definitely worth noting here. 

So, yesterday marked the 55th anniversary of the day when legalized segregation finally was outlawed in the United States. 

To be sure, that did not mean, nor does it mean, that racism ceased to exist in this country, any more than the election of Barack Obama into the White House essentially ended racism as a major problem in the United States. Such notions may seem almost laughable, given the obvious racial tensions that continue to not only exist within the United States, but some people believed that after each event. 

Most people would acknowledge now that racism still is a very big problem in the country, as there is fresh and clear, almost irrefutable (although some try to contest it) signs of blatant racism on an institutional level in the country, even to the point of being front and center in our daily headlines, much like it was over half a century ago. Why, in recent years, we have had numerous unarmed young black men shot to death - often but not always by police - for the perceived threat that they pose. There was a march just a couple of summers ago involving outright white supremacist groups that were inciting violence.  And we have a president in the White House right now who has received the endorsement of the Ku Klux Klan and other white supremacist groups, and who slaps a blanket label to African and Latin American counties as "shithole nations," and suggests that he would welcome immigrants from countries like Norway, even though he literally suggests that he is the least racist person that you could ever hope to meet.

Hate crimes and racial divisions have increased dramatically leading up to, and especially following the 2016 election. Clearly, racism not only still very much is alive and well in this country, but it seems to be on the rise. 

All of this is discouraging, to say the least. We Americans often want this country to be represented by the best ideals that have come through here, and there have been some truly inspirational thinkers and sentiments throughout American history. Yet, too often, we have allowed the violent and close-minded segment of the American population - and it has both always existed and always been too large to simply ignore - that also helps define the nation as a whole as one with some serious problems, and racism has always been one of the most obvious symptoms of these kinds of people. Right now, they have been enjoying a bit of momentum, as again, hatred has spiked within the country just over the past few years. Given the staggering levels of mediocrity presently in our national government, most famously in the White House right now, this is more than a little disheartening.

However, there have been times and events in which we can take pride in. We advance a bit, and then slide back down. Right now, we are clearly sliding backward, going in the wrong direction as a country.

That is why it is all the more important, perhaps even urgent, to remember the more inspirational, triumphant moments. And one of those came 55 years ago yesterday, exactly, when at the very least, legalized segregation finally was banished. It might seem like it was overdue and should have obviously been done a long time ago, and it also might seem that it was more symbolic, and did little to eradicate actual racism. Indeed, both of those things are true, and are even beyond dispute. 

However, we have to keep in mind just how much resistance to this simple action there was, and how many prominent politicians were still so comfortable with the racism that they and their constituents clearly defended, that they loudly and proudly defended segregation "now and forever."

But they lost an important battle. And even if racism only remained hidden, rather than largely died away, it was a bit of a triumph that blatant, out in the open racism was shameful enough that few people would admit any racist attitudes for fear of being labelled as racists or rednecks or hate-mongerers. That, in and of itself, was progress, and we sure could use a little bit of that right now, could we not?

It seems to me entirely appropriate, as we are about to celebrate another Independence Day, that we celebrate and honor the very best ideals and principles that this country has to offer, those moments when we have exhibited, as a country, Lincoln's famous "better angles of our nature," rather than give in to the baser hatreds and simmering resentments that presently win the day in American politics and, too often, within the larger American society.

So, let us recognize how momentous this occasion was, and that is stands as a symbol of triumph over hatred and bigotry and narrow-mindedness. Whatever our faults as a nation, we have had some significant triumphs in this regard, and it takes strong people to reach deeper and manage victories, even when the entire country sometimes seems to feel defeated and deflated. One such victory was the official end of segregation, and it is important to recognize this as a triumph to those today who likely view it as otherwise, lest we slide all the way back to a collective mindset when such things are once again are not only possible, but perhaps all too real. 

On this day 55 years ago, America finally outlawed segregation by Leah Asmelash and Brian Ries, CNN, July 2, 2019

https://www.cnn.com/2019/07/02/us/civil-rights-act-anniversary-trnd/index.html?utm_source=fbCNN&utm_medium=social&utm_content=2019-07-02T19%3A32%3A37&utm_term=link&fbclid=IwAR2BX2PJJXZ7Kt3Y67XORdfGf-79SA6l5lYgjb1GQqyq6NvmAcyOhDwdVag