What do "Jim Crow laws" primarily refer to?

"Jim Crow laws" primarily refer to the set of state and local statutes that enforced racial segregation in the Southern United States from the late 19th century until the mid-20th century. These laws institutionalized a system of discrimination against African Americans and other racial minorities, resulting in separate public facilities, schools, and transportation systems for white and non-white individuals.

The "Jim Crow" era is characterized by a broader social and legal framework that sought to uphold white supremacy and disenfranchise black citizens. By mandating segregation in various aspects of public life, these laws perpetuated inequality and limited the civil rights of African Americans. The term "Jim Crow" itself derives from a minstrel show character that caricatured African Americans, symbolizing the pervasive attitude of racial prejudice during that time.

Other options do not relate to the historical context of Jim Crow laws. For example, laws promoting public transportation, protecting the rights of immigrants, and regulating child labor address entirely different social issues and do not connect with the systemic racism and segregation that Jim Crow laws represent.