What is segregation?

What is segregation?

• A. Separation of people in public places because of race
• B. Equality before the law
• C. Separation of powers
• D. All citizens vote directly on laws

Answer: (A)

Segregation means keeping people apart in public spaces or institutions because of race. This describes the practice of forcing Black people and white people to use different schools, buses, restaurants, and other facilities. It’s not about being equal under the law—that would be equality before the law—which is the idea that everyone should have the same rights and protections. It’s also not about how government powers are divided (that’s separation of powers) or about people voting directly on laws (direct democracy). So segregation is specifically about racial separation in everyday places, a practice that civil rights movements and court rulings worked to end.

Segregation means keeping people apart in public spaces or institutions because of race. This describes the practice of forcing Black people and white people to use different schools, buses, restaurants, and other facilities. It’s not about being equal under the law—that would be equality before the law—which is the idea that everyone should have the same rights and protections. It’s also not about how government powers are divided (that’s separation of powers) or about people voting directly on laws (direct democracy). So segregation is specifically about racial separation in everyday places, a practice that civil rights movements and court rulings worked to end.