Member-only story

Please Sit Over There: A History of Racial Segregation in Restaurants

Cade Simmons

·11.2k Followers· Follow

Published in Please Sit Over There: How To Manage Power Overcome Exclusion And Succeed As A Black Woman At Work

5 min read

1.1k View Claps

72 Respond

Save

Listen

In the United States, restaurants have long been a site of racial segregation. From the Jim Crow era to the present day, African Americans have been subjected to a variety of discriminatory practices in restaurants, from being refused service to being forced to sit in segregated areas.

Please Sit Over There: How to Manage Power, Overcome Exclusion, and Succeed as a Black Woman at Work

by Francine Parham

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2721 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Print length	:	99 pages

The history of racial segregation in restaurants is a complex and multifaceted one. It is a story of racism, discrimination, and resistance. It is also a story of the ways in which African Americans have fought for their rights and dignity.

The Jim Crow Era

The Jim Crow era was a period of racial segregation in the United States that lasted from the late 19th century to the mid-20th century. During this time, African Americans were subjected to a variety of discriminatory laws and customs, including segregation in public accommodations such as restaurants.

In the Jim Crow South, restaurants were typically segregated by race. African Americans were often forced to sit in separate dining rooms or at separate tables. In some cases, they were even refused service altogether.

The Jim Crow system of segregation was enforced by a variety of means, including violence and intimidation. African Americans who violated the segregation laws often faced arrest or physical harm.

The Civil Rights Movement

The Civil Rights Movement was a period of social activism that fought to end racial segregation and discrimination in the United States. The movement began in the 1950s and 1960s, and it led to the passage of a number of landmark laws, including the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

The Civil Rights Act of 1964 outlawed segregation in public accommodations, including restaurants. This law was a major victory for the Civil Rights Movement, and it helped to end the Jim Crow system of segregation.

The Present Day

Although the Civil Rights Act of 1964 outlawed segregation in public accommodations, racial discrimination in restaurants still persists today.

In 2015, a study by the National Restaurant Association found that African Americans are more likely to be refused service at restaurants than white customers. The study also found that African Americans are more likely to be seated in segregated areas and to receive lower quality service.

The persistence of racial discrimination in restaurants is a reminder that the fight for racial justice is not over. It is a reminder that we must continue to work to create a more just and equitable society for all.

Resistance and Resilience

Throughout the history of racial segregation in restaurants, African Americans have resisted and challenged discrimination. They have used boycotts, protests, and other forms of nonviolent resistance to fight for their rights.

In 1960, four African American college students from North Carolina A&T State University sat down at a segregated lunch counter in Greensboro, North Carolina. Their sit-in sparked a wave of similar protests across the country. The sit-ins played a major role in desegregating restaurants and other public accommodations.

The legacy of resistance and resilience of African Americans in the face of discrimination is a powerful reminder that change is possible. It is a reminder that we must never give up fighting for our rights.

The fight for racial justice is not over. We must continue to work to create a more just and equitable society for all.

A Group Of African Americans Sitting At A Segregated Lunch Counter In Greensboro, North Carolina. Please Sit Over There: How To Manage Power Overcome Exclusion And Succeed As A Black Woman At Work