Criminal justice

Chapter 2 of "Just Mercy"

When dd the word "miscegenation" come into use? Why did supporters of slavery coin the term? What did many law enforcement officials in Southern communities see as their duty in regards to black men and white women? When did lynching become the standard response to interracial romance?

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Last updated by Jill W
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The term miscegenation came into use in the 1860s. Supporters of slavery coined the term to promote the fear of interracial marriage and sexual relationships (race mixing) that would result if slavery were abolished. As a result, Southern law enforcement saw it as their duty to investigate black men who had relationships with white women.

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Just Mercy