Jim Crow laws refer to both local and state laws that were implemented in the Southern region and borders of the United States after 1876. These laws were enacted in order to separate white Americans from African-American in public schools, restaurants, public transportation, hotels, libraries, and other public facilities. Additionally, these laws also restrict the African-Americans from exercising their voting rights.

The term got itself from the minstrel show song entitled Jump Jim Crow, which was performed by Thomas Dartmouth “Daddy” Rice. Rice is a white English migrant to the United States who popularized blackface performance. In the year 1837, the term was used to refer to racial segregation in general.

Various kinds of Jim Crow laws were created in different states. For instance, in Alabama, white female nurses shall never be required to work in the wards of public and private hospitals where African-Americans are placed. There are also separate ticket windows and waiting rooms for white Americans and African-Americans in bus stations. In this state, trains were divided by partitions and passengers were assigned to specific divisions of the train according to their race. Additionally, African-Americans and white Americans should never be served in the same room at a restaurant, unless there is a partition that is at least seven feet high.

There are also some states which have Jim Crow laws that prohibit intermarriage or the marriage between a white American and an African-American. Even when it comes to education, there are separate schools for white American children and those of African-American descent.

Although it was only in 1967 when the laws that prohibit interracial marriage were overturned, Jim Crow laws were ended with the signing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Although Jim Crow laws are no longer implemented in today’s American society, other forms of racial discrimination still exist.