Racism In The 1920s Essay

Racism in the 1920s

The 1920’s were rooted in many types of racism, involving horrendous displays of public discrimination, racial hierarchies, and racist stereotypes. Literary works from the period, such as F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby, provide evidence of the prevalence of racism. In the novel, the character Tom makes several racist statements, including referring to white people as the "dominant race." While this was a disgusting thing for him to say, it is historically accurate for him to have these views.

In addition to literature, laws and policies from the period reflect the systemic discrimination against people of color. Jim Crow laws, for example, enforced segregation in various public places, including schools, bathrooms, and water fountains. These laws were obvious displays of discrimination, and they

Racial hierarchies are the idea that races can be categorized from best to worst on some type of scale. This was a prevalent ideology in the 1920s, as most white people believed there was some hierarchy and that they were higher up on it than black people, meaning they were better than them.

There were many offensive racist stereotypes in this time as well. Some of these are This belief in white superiority was a product of racist stereotypes that were prevalent in popular culture. Blackface, minstrel shows, and other forms of entertainment relied on caricatures of people of color, reinforcing the belief that white people were superior.

In conclusion, the evidence supports the thesis that the 1920s were marked by various forms of racism, including public discrimination, racial hierarchies, and racist stereotypes. The Great Gatsby, Jim Crow laws, and pervasive racist attitudes of the time all reflect the significant impact of racism during this period. Understanding and confronting this history is critical to achieving a more equitable and just society for