Jim Crow South

The "Jim Crow South" refers to the Southern United States during the period from the late 19th century to the mid-20th century, characterized by state and local laws enforcing racial segregation and disenfranchisement of African Americans. These laws, known as Jim Crow laws, created a system of social, economic, and political inequality. The city of Selma, Alabama, became a focal point in the Civil Rights Movement. It is newsworthy now because the anniversary of the "Bloody Sunday" attack on civil rights marchers on the Edmund Pettus Bridge is being commemorated. This event, which occurred on March 7, 1965, galvanized support for the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Recent gatherings in Selma highlight concerns about the future of the Voting Rights Act, with activists and politicians expressing worries about ongoing efforts to restrict voting access. The events in Selma serve as a reminder of the struggle for voting rights and the continued need to protect and expand access to the ballot box for all citizens.