Black Codes

Black Codes

Before the civil war, slavery had boomed in the south and became the core of the region’s economy. Although Lincoln’s administration had abolished slavery by then, black Americans continued to be subjected to unfair treatment by the whites under the black codes. The black codes, also known as the black laws, were majorly associated with the southern states and were majorly driven by economic reasons. The whites wanted to dominate the former slaves and were not ready to let go of slavery. Passed in 1865 under Johnson’s administration, the discriminating laws were meant to restrict the freedom and activities of black Americans. This paper highlights the discrimination the black community went through during this era, and the impact the laws had on the community.

The reconstruction rules allowed the southern states to pass their respective black laws. The state of Mississippi was the first state to pass the legislation, which forbade black Americans from right to own property, such as house and land (Du Bois, 385). The blacks, therefore, sought to rent lands in particular regions of the city from the whites. However, they were not allowed to run private businesses on the leased lands or make profits like the white landowners (Du Bois, 387). Mississippi was used as an example and basis on which other states passed their black laws. States like South Carolina enacted laws that permitted them to practice racial discrimination publicly.

Many states enacted laws that restricted when and how the black Americans moved in public areas majorly inhabited by the whites. According to Perrone (130), “blacks were prohibited from possessing weapons in public areas or even in their homes.” in some states like Texas, blacks were banned from holding official positions, attending public schools, or even offer military services (Johal, 66). Such restrictions made it difficult for blacks to compete in a predetermined society and were prevented from owning powerful positions. Therefore, the black population was always subjected to work for white farmers and other low wage jobs to meet their needs…

Vagrancy laws were put in place by the government to make sure the blacks were always busy and occupied (Perone, 140). The vagrancy laws made sure that the unemployed black Americans were arrested. Black populations between eighteen to sixty years of age were expected to have a job, and one would be considered to be a criminal when unemployed (Johal, 68). Most of the blacks could not afford the penalty fee because they were too high. The arrested person would then provide labor for white farmers or private people, ensuring the availability of cheap labor. Although slavery was abolished, the black codes dictated how the blacks lived their lives. They were subjected to a lifestyle similar to slavery.

The black laws spearheaded segregation and racial prejudice against the black race. These laws, therefore, played an essential role in the foundation of the black American culture. For instance, the segregation and racial prejudice led to blacks to establish their black churches (Tiefenbacher, 251). They were inclined to set up these churches to have a religious bearing. The churches were later used as political, religious, and educational centers to provide hope for the black community and improve their social status as well as improve their lives (Tiefenbacher, 251).

The black community established their music, commonly known as soul music. Soul music was composed of jazz and blues. The music genre became the black culture that black Americans could identify with (Tiefenbacher, 251). The music was somber to give the black community hope of conquering the difficulties they faced during the era of black codes. Leagues such as the negro leagues were also established. The associations facilitated communication since they did not have time to pay each other a visit as a result of the vagrancy laws (Muchnick, 36). Typical food, known as Soul food, was also created. Soul food became the community’s staple food. Rice, cassava, and sorghum constituted a large part of the diet.

The black laws negatively impacted the black community since they were meant to subjugate them. During the era of the black codes, there was widespread racial racism and a lack of equality. The blacks attended different social amenities, such as schools and restrooms (Du Bois, 430). They also used separate modes of transport to prevent interaction with the whites. The whites believed that they were a superior race to the blacks and therefore had access to quality facilities opposed to those the blacks could afford (Muchnik, 40). The black community languished in poverty since they were not allowed to work in the office and were left to work in white farms earning minimum wages. They lived in poor parts of the cities known as the ghettos and were prohibited from participating and contributing to discussions conducted by the whites.

The black laws aimed at restoring slavery after abolition by the emancipation proclamation and for the white race to maintain control of the black race. Segregation and racial prejudice terrified the black community. The laws banned them from working in offices and owning property; they provided cheap labor through the vagrancy laws and even lived in particular areas in the cities. These laws made the black community poor and had access to poor facilities because the whites believed they were inferior to their race. Therefore black codes are dehumanizing laws that discriminated against the black race. Although black Americans went through such a difficult period, their resilience is unmatched. They achieved equality and freedom. From the difficulties, greatness emerged, such as soul music and soul food that became the community’s identity and pride that lives on till the present day.

Works cited

Du Bois, W. E. B. “The Black Proletariat in Mississippi and Louisiana.” Black Reconstruction in America. Routledge, 2017. 384-433.

Johal, Amrita. “The Change in Status of African Americans During Post-Civil War Reconstruction.” HiPo: The Langara Student Journal of History and Political Science 1.1 (2018): 65-71.

Locke, Joseph, and Ben Wright. “The American Yawp.” (2015).

Muchnick, Justin. “The Proving Ground: The Decline of Slavery and the Emergence of Black Codes in Antebellum Delaware.” Armstrong Undergraduate Journal of History 9.1 (2019): 33-53.

Perrone, Giuliana. “Back into the Days of Slavery”: Freedom, Citizenship, and the Black Family in the Reconstruction-era Courtroom.” Law and History Review 37.1 (2019): 125-161.

Tiefenbacher, John P. “Development Arrested: The Blues and Plantation Power in the Mississippi Delta.” (2019): 249-251.