Why was segregation acceptable
Segregation was never morally or ethically acceptable. However, during certain periods of history, it was enforced and considered acceptable due to the prevailing social, cultural, and political beliefs that supported discrimination and racial inequality.
In the United States, for example, segregation was enforced under the "separate but equal" doctrine, which was established by the U.S. Supreme Court in the 1896 case Plessy v. Ferguson. This ruling upheld state segregation laws, stating that as long as separate facilities were provided for different races, they could be considered equal. This legal justification allowed for the continued segregation of public spaces, schools, housing, transportation, and other areas of life.
Additionally, segregation was acceptable to some people due to deeply ingrained racist and prejudiced beliefs. Many white Americans during this time believed in the superiority of the white race and rejected the notion of social and racial equality. These ideas were perpetuated by societal norms, institutionalized racism, and a lack of empathetic understanding of the experiences and humanity of marginalized groups.
It is important to note that segregation was never truly "acceptable" for the marginalized communities who were subjected to it. Throughout history, individuals and groups actively fought against segregation, advocating for civil rights and equality. The Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s, for instance, led to the eventual dismantling of segregation laws and the recognition of equal rights for all Americans.