Answer: Jim Crow laws were a series of state and local laws in the United States that enforced racial segregation and discrimination against African Americans from the late 19th century to the mid-1960s.
Explanation: One example of how the legal system was stacked against African Americans is the use of Jim Crow laws in the United States due to which African Americans experienced racial segregation and prejudice from the late 19th century to the mid-1960s. These laws mandated segregation in public spaces and institutions, such as schools, public transportation, and restaurants, which meant that African Americans were required to use separate and often inferior facilities. Additionally, these laws imposed restrictions on voting rights and other civil liberties, such as the right to own property, serve on juries, and participate in politics, making it difficult for African Americans to participate in society fully.
These laws were often enforced through intimidation and violence, including lynchings, beatings, and other forms of racially motivated terror. This created a climate of fear and terror for African Americans, who lived under constant threat of violence and persecution. The legal system at the time rarely provided justice for African Americans who were victims of these abuses, as many local authorities were complicit in enforcing Jim Crow laws and abusing African Americans.
The result was a system where African Americans were denied equal protection under the law and were subject to systemic discrimination and oppression. The use of Jim Crow laws is a clear example of how the legal system was stacked against African Americans, as they created a system of segregation and discrimination officially sanctioned by the government and upheld by the courts.