When we open history books, the Jim Crow era is often depicted through images of “Whites Only” signs. But the real machinery of racial oppression was written down. Here are three of the most egregious laws against us.
#1: Convict Leasing. Black codes and vagrancy laws during Reconstruction all but guaranteed that Black men would be imprisoned for the dumbest things. They also criminalized unemployment for Black people. If someone couldn’t prove they had a job, they could be arrested and leased out to private companies for forced, free labor.
#2: Black Testimony Exclusion Law. It was exactly as it sounds. In court, Black people were often barred from testifying against white people. This enabled unchecked violence, wage theft, and systemic exploitation.
#3: Restrictive Covenants. Property laws, business licensing hurdles, and racist zoning policies blocked Black families from specific neighborhoods and building wealth. These laws were intentional, meant to keep Black labor cheap, Black voices unheard, and land out of Black hands. Some are STILL on the books.
As racist politicians redraw voting maps, roll back protections, and gut voting rights, recognize the truth. Oppression doesn’t always come draped in a hood; it often comes cloaked in legality.