Claim: States are reinstating Jim Crow Laws

Question

I have been seeing all over social media that states like Mississippi are reintroducing Jim Crow laws in their state. I personally don't want to believe it because as an African American female, that frightens me. However, the way America is looking, I'm sadly not surprised.

Answer 1

This stems from the Mississippi House approving a bill submitted by a white representative that would create a new district in Mississippi that consists of nearly all White neighborhoods. The white chief justice would pick the judges and the public defenders and prosecutors would be chosen by the White attorney general. While it was never formally stated by the House or the representative who proposed the bill, it is easy to see why the Black citizens would feel uncomfortable and upset with the bill being passed in the house. The situation was compared to Jim Crow laws, but it was not officially called that by the government. 

https://www.thedailybeast.com/jim-crow-is-resurrected-in-mississippi

Answer 2

The truth of the matter is states like Mississippi are trying to create white-dominated zones by combining all majority-white neighborhoods into one district. This is not exactly the same as the original Jim-Crow laws that segregated Black and White people since this new district would not be 100% white. However, the new officials in charge would not be elected but handpicked by the white chief justice and attorney general. All the officials would be appointed and not elected, meaning the black citizens would have no say in who is put in charge. Their voting rights would seemingly be just as non-existent as they were before 1968. Some media outlets have dubbed these actions as "Jim Crow 2.0." So while the state is not outright trying to enforce Jim Crow, it is a very close attempt to update it for the modern age.

Comments

What sources support this fact-check? Also, which media outlets used the "Jim Crow 2.0" terminology? It's best to include sources and citations within your explanation.

Answer 3

According to, 'Appeals court upholds Mississippi Jim Crow-era voting restriction law,' the claim is false. "Section 241 in Mississippi’s state constitution specifies 10 felonies—murder, rape, bribery, theft, arson, obtaining money or goods under false pretense, perjury, forgery, embezzlement or bigamy—for which a conviction will result in a person losing their right to vote," states CNN reporter. 

https://www.cnn.com/2022/08/26/us/mississippi-jim-crow-era-voting-restriction-law-upheld/index.html. 

In addition, 'Proposed amendment could remove Jim Crowe-era language in Alabama Constitution.' "But a seismic change could be in store. Alabama voters on Nov. 8 will decide whether to ratify a new constitution that strips out the Jim Crow-era language," states PBS News hour. 

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/proposed-amendment-could-remove-jim-crow-era-language-in-alabama-constitution. 

The claim is likely misinformation.

Answer 4

This claim is true regarding the fact that Mississippi is trying to create a new modern era of Jim Crow Laws. Earlier in February, white representatives in the Mississippi House approved a bill that will create a whole new district of mostly white neighborhoods. This district would be in the city of Jackson, Mississippi, a city that is 83% Black. Under this bill, the chief justice of the Mississippi Supreme Court would instead handpick its judges, prosecutors, etc instead of having the people vote. The chief Justice is a white conservative. The Jackson Mayor, Chokwe Antar Lumumba, responded to the passing of the bill and said, "It's oppressive because it strips the right of Black folks to vote."

Comments

Nice job including a quote from the Mayor. Do you have a source link? Strong fact-checks should have well sourced information within it, including hyperlinks.

Also, the claim indicates that more than one state is reinstating Jim Crow laws -- what other states besides Mississippi is attempting to do so?

Answer 5

According to the Washington Post, "President Biden and others warn that Jim Crow-style disenfranchisement is resurfacing in efforts by Republican legislatures in Georgia, Texas, and other states to restrict voting." In this case, if you know anything about Jim Crow laws, it would be toward people of color. "Mississippi's constitutional convention of 1890 was held for no other purpose than to eliminate the (n-word) from politics," said James Vardaman, a white supremacist who became governor in 1903. The law was initially placed to bare certain felons from voting. It removed voting right from people convicted of bribery, burglary, theft, arson, etc., The crimes were believed to be "black crimes," and black people were likelier to commit them. Mississippi's law, implemented over a century ago, basically restricts anyone that commits those crimes to lose their right to vote permanently. Once someone loses their right to vote, it is impossible to get back. 

https://www.washingtonpost.com/history/2021/05/01/mississippi-constitution-voting-rights-jim-crow/

https://www.theguardian.com/law/2023/jun/30/us-supreme-court-mississippi-voting-rights-case-black-voters