The Segregation Era was an extremely miserable time for African Americans in the United States. Whites treated African Americans like trash or their own property rather than equals. I will explain segregation and what the main causes were. Next, I will describe what life was like for people living in this period. Finally, I will talk about the laws that were passed during the period of segregation. I will also update you on the NAACP and its impact on equal rights for black people. In conclusion, I will summarize everything and share my thoughts on segregation. The era of segregation in the United States is a time that many African Americans living in the United States wish to forget. “Racial segregation is the separation of different types of human racial groups in everyday life” (Wikipedia). The period of segregation, in terms of public life, lasted from approximately 1896-1954. This period extended from the Supreme Court case Plessey v. Ferguson to Brown v. Board. What could have caused such a horrible policy as segregation? The answer is fear. “The main cause of segregation was fear of people different from us” (Wikianswers). Those we fear tend to hate them. Racism and prejudice existed primarily in the South during the era of segregation and still exist in our country today. Whites treated African Americans as if they were inferior. This racism and prejudice was widespread throughout most of the country. Although racism was not as severe in the North, it still existed in many places. For black people, life during segregation was very difficult. Racism, which is bad enough, has led to much worse things for African Americans. "Alongside restrictions on voting rights and laws aimed at segregating society, white violence against Af...... middle of paper ...... shows we have come a long way. But despite this, we cannot erase the fact that our country was once segregated and treated people of different races unfairly. Works Cited Appleby, Joyce PhD., Brinkley., Alan PhD; McPherson, James PhD. The American Journey 2003. New York: Glencoe McGraw-Hill, 2003 “Growing up Black in the 1930s.” Library.thinkquest.org. 2010. May 4, 2010. < http://library.thinkquest.org/12111/mculley.html?tqskip1=1&tqtime=0730 “How long did segregation last? » answers.yahoo.com. 2010. May 4, 2010. < http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090113063526AA12hdO “Racial Segregation.” Wikipedia.com. 2010. May 4, 2010. “Separate but Equal.” Law.umkc.edu. 2010. May 4, 2010.