Friday, May 20, 2005

Black Codes......

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To restrict the liberties of Blacks, the 1866 state legislature enacted "black codes," which essentially were an attempt to recreate slavery. A contract labor law specified that the freedmen were to choose an employer and then sign a binding contract if their work exceeded one month. A child apprenticeship law provided that parents could indenture their offspring to employers until the age of 21.

The black code legislation prohibited blacks from marrying whites, holding office, and voting. African Americans suspected of being truant from their jobs could be arrested and forced to work on public projects without pay until they agreed to return to their employer.

In dealing with whites, African Americans could not make insulting noises, speak disrespectfully or out of turn, dispute the word of whites, or disobey a command. Further, they had to stand at attention when Whites passed, step aside when white women were on the sidewalk, address whites "properly" and remove their hats in the presence of whites. Whites insisted upon this behavior because they continued to believe in white supremacy.


1 comment:

Born Understanding said...

Queen Mother, you stay as busy as i do....everyday, somethin new.... having trouble keeping up with ya! If u need ANY assistance, your PNF family stands by ya side, fully prepared for what comes next. htp, from the Sun to the Queen Mother! kfz! all day, all month, all year, all century, all millenia!