Final answer:
Matthews' essay provides evidence to support his comparison between the code of the cafeteria and the laws of Jim Crow and apartheid in South Africa. The code of the cafeteria and the laws of Jim Crow enforced a system of separation and oppression.
Step-by-step explanation:
Matthews' essay does provide evidence to support his comparison between the code of the cafeteria and the laws of Jim Crow and apartheid in South Africa. The Jim Crow laws enforced racial segregation in the United States, while apartheid laws segregated black and white people in South Africa. Matthews argues that the code of the cafeteria was just as binding as these laws, meaning that it had similar oppressive effects on individuals.
The presence of separate seating in theaters, restaurants serving black people at the kitchen door, and the requirement to take a seat at the back of the bus were all protocols enforced by the code of the cafeteria. Similarly, under Jim Crow, African Americans had to adhere to strict protocols that dictated the terms of racial relations, such as separate seating and entrance to public facilities. The code of the cafeteria and the laws of Jim Crow enforced a system of separation that impacted the daily lives and experiences of black individuals.