Jim Crow legislative
After reading the work of Grundy (1923-1957} about manhood and community in African- American institutions, I was able to reevaluate my preconceived ideas about racism. In my mind, I was thinking, did racism has to be this tough? In Jim Crow South, African-Americans tasted the bitter fruits of racial discrimination. I realized the Jim Crow legislative display robust evidence of racial division between the blacks and the whites. Grundy focuses on the education experience of the black children, which was not equivalent to that of the whites. These laws made blacks children feel inferior to whites. This was so evident since the children would see the accurate picture of inequalities between the races. The schools of the whites had perfect and adequate facilities compared to those of the blacks that lacked almost everything.
The black-American children lacked a favorable and conducive environment to conduct their studies. The picture painted of the racial discrimination of a black child is devastating. The black children had to use second-hand textbooks and lacked bathrooms, and this was a painful and discouraging experience for the black child in school. Moreover, these legislate denied most of the black children an opportunity to be in class since the public schools were limited, and the resources available were also limited. What stands out for me is the blacks’ willingness to acquire education to counter the challenges in Jim Crow.
Grundy describes the vital role sport played in the community during the Jim Crow epoch; for example, sport builds the players’ ability to work in a team. It ensured the player could effectively cooperate wholly within or outside the unit. Sports, precisely athletics, were essential in bringing together the black people to have a common goal. Indeed, these activities were ideal since they carry the majority and diverse members of the society together.
Moreover, sports enhanced personal growth by fostering self-confidence; this was important to help the players or the young change their racial difference perspective. More so, the African- Americans, through sports, learned how to express themselves individually. Despite the inferiority towards black- Americans, it was possible to change the perspective using marks. Ultimately, sports served to help the children prepare for challenges they would encounter in the future.
From the reading, I acquired knowledge of the different roles that schools and couches played to nurture youths’ development through sports. Grundy presents African-American coaches and institutions that were die-hard with the black child’s future. Grundy has emphasized the nurturing of the African -American child more in her work. First, both the educators and coaches trained and educated the youths; they had to play parents’ role as advisors and enhance good characters. The couches also encouraged the players from a young age, which motivated the young people often; they also gave more than playground guidelines but acted as life coaches and disciplinarians.
Schools presented an opportunity for black people to acquire education and engage in sports. At school, the black people were taught ways to grapple with the many problems they were facing. In schools, the blacks received instructions on how to enhance racial respect that was distorted. Also, Schools acted as a clear demonstration of the division that existed between the blacks and whites. Therefore the African- American child was aware of their position within the Jim Crow. I feel both the schools and the coaches did much to restore the dignity and solve psychological challenges experienced by the black children in Jim Crow. Do you think the white man has changed their notion about African-Americans?