African American Discrimation

Plan to attend the program “The Little Town with a Big Heart” on February 21, 2026, at 1:30pm at at Sumner’s new City Hall, 224 S. Christy Ave. Free admittance and refreshment courtesy of the city of Sumner.  Presentation by George Zwilling.

CORRECTION The Lawrence County Illinois Historical Society proudly announces the TV premiere of its  documentary, "An Eagle on his Button." This film highlights the remarkable stories of African Americans from Lawrence County who served in the Civil War. Tune in to WVUT-22 PBS on SATURDAY, February 21, 2026, or SATURDAY February 28, 2026 at 6:00 pm Illinois time (7:00 pm Indiana time) to watch this important local history event.

 Legally, discrimination is treating someone differently or less favorably than others based on characteristics like race, gender, religion, disability, or age, rather than on their individual merits, leading to unequal opportunities or harm often defined as actions that deny equal protection or access to rights, services, or employment. In essence, discrimination is unfair treatment based on who you are, not what you have done, denying you equal access and opportunity.

Many early Lawrence County African Americans endured racial discrimination, all the way back to the Illinois Black Codes. These “Black Laws” were a series of harsh, discriminatory statutes enacted between 1819 and 1865. They restricted the rights of free African Americans, indentured servants, and enslaved individuals. These laws required registration of free people of color, restricted movement and by 1853, banned African American emigration into Illinois. With the help of people like Frederick Douglass, the Illinois Black Laws were repealed in 1865.

The Thirteenth Amendment in 1865, abolishing slavery, was in place, however it did not diminish discrimination. Despite the Illinois Civil Rights Law in 1885, intense discrimination continued with African Americans. During the 20^th Century, downstate Illinois was characterized by widespread racism. There were over 200 “sundown towns” where African Americans were forced out by dusk. In the mid 1920’s, the Ku Klux Klan had a significant, large scale, presence in Southern Illinois, with membership concentrated across the Midwest. The Klan aimed to enforce strict social control, promote white supremacy, and uphold Protestant moral standards. They targeted Catholics, Jews, immigrants, and African Americans, utilizing terror, intimidation, and political influence to maintain social, racial and moral conformity.

Restaurants, theaters and other businesses often refused service to African Americans, prompting protests. In downstate Illinois, many schools were often segregated or unequal. The Federal Civil Rights Act of 1964 officially ended legal segregation and banned employment discrimination and the Federal Voting Rights Act of 1965 opened political opportunities to participate in all aspects of the political system on an equal basis. The Illinois Department of Human Rights Act of 1980, secured all individuals within the state of Illinois freedom from unlawful discrimination, established and promoted equal opportunity and affirmative action as the policy of the state of Illinois.

 The Lawrence County African American discrimination story is a long shameful journey that has endured through the years. Only those who have been exposed to a lifestyle of discrimination can reflect on that experience. The trials and tribulations of discrimination of these folks only made them stronger. In the last 100 years, African Americans in Lawrence County were restricted to the lower paying jobs, such as janitors, servants, cooks, chauffeurs, trash haulers, and wood / coal haulers. Many African American women held occupations as domestic workers, nannies, cooks, laundresses, and maids. African American women were forced to work not by choice but out of necessity because of the low wages paid to African American men. The Texaco refinery and Ohio Oil Company did not hire African Americans.

There were places in Lawrence County, where African Americans were not allowed to go. Examples of these places were Movie theaters, some restaurants, clubs, fraternal organizations, barber shops, beauty shops, hotels and some churches. In the early 1950’s African Americans were even restricted to the balcony at the Avalon theater. During the 1960’s, African Americans could only attend the Paradise Roller Skating Rink in Vincennes, Indiana on certain Friday nights, that were restricted to African Americans only. When Lots were sold in Arlington Heights, a new development in Lawrenceville in 1909, they were restricted to ‘whites only’.

During this period, more African American high school graduates were attending college, with education playing a key role in the advancement of local African Americans. Many  obtained degrees but moved away to pursue good jobs. By the mid 1960’s, African Americans began working in the oil field and refinery jobs in Lawrence County. Men found jobs in local auto shops and garages. A few families continued to farm on their inherited fertile ground. Local women began working in factories, offices, and some teaching jobs. Opportunities for local African Americans had begun to slowly erase discrimination.

Beginning with the early “Black Laws”, Lawrence County African Americans have been on a journey filled with countless injustices. Along that journey, there have been positive changes in laws, politics, environment, morals, and attitudes. In today’s world, Lawrence County African Americans hold their ancestors in high esteem for their courage, devotion and ability to survive. Today, many of their descendants have become: Teachers, Nurses, Doctors, Engineers, Contractors, Business Owners, Refinery and Oil field Workers, Computer Analysts, and the list goes on.

Lawrence County African American History is a unique story that continues to be uncovered. There are no other nearby Illinois counties that has had the number of early African American residents, landowners, churches or schools. The African American Cemeteries in Lawrence County are proof of many forgotten stories. The untold number of veterans who have fought for our nation are signs of their patriotism. The old AME churches that taught children tolerance are gone. The early integrated schools were places all students black or white learned together, no matter what color they were.

Lawrence County residents, regardless of skin tone, share a history marked by both pride and regret. The Lawrence County Historical Society strives to tell these stories truthfully and to teach that history to the younger generation, so it is not forgotten.