Final answer:
Ellington and his group struggled to find accommodations due to widespread racial discrimination and segregation laws, compounded by practices like redlining and white flight which affected African Americans in both the South and the North.
Step-by-step explanation:
Ellington and his group faced difficulties finding accommodations in the South due to racial discrimination and segregation laws known as Jim Crow laws. During the era of segregation, African Americans, including travelling musicians like Duke Ellington, were often denied access to certain hotels and restaurants because of their race.
The practice of redlining and restrictive covenants further prevented African Americans from renting or buying homes in certain areas, forcing them into overcrowded and substandard housing. Even after fighting for their country in World War II, African American veterans were denied housing opportunities afforded by the GI Bill due to systemic racism.
Additionally, deep-seated prejudice and the practice of white flight contributed to the difficulties that African Americans faced in securing adequate housing and accommodations.