We all know about driving while Black and other laws, but during Reconstruction, the law was used to stifle us. Here are three of the most ridiculous laws from back then:
#1 Employment – In Mississippi, all Black people had to have a job or conduct business. Those who didn’t were jailed for 10 days or fined $150, which is about $3000 today.
#2 Housing – Black people in Louisiana were barred from owning or renting houses in certain communities, and anyone who sold or rented a house to a Black person was fined $5 or about $100 today. Black people living in the houses were evicted, driven from the area, or forced into employment in the area.
#3 Pets – In Virginia, free Black people could not own dogs for any reason. White plantation owners were even fined for allowing Black people to own dogs on their property. Dogs were used to oppress and harm Black people, and after enslavement, a Black person who owned a dog was seen as a troublemaker.
Laws that seem silly on the outside were implemented to control our location, our access to jobs, and our ability to defend ourselves. Remember that society stops at nothing to change the game on us when it comes to our liberation. We can’t stop our fight, either.