"When you were growing up in the 30s, 20s, of course the 40s, all black people at least in the Washington, D.C., area were required to live among themselves"

This quote by Ed Smith speaks with the partition and discrimination that African Americans faced in the early to mid-20th century. Throughout this time, African Americans were not enabled to reside in the exact same areas as white individuals, and were instead relegated to their own segregated communities. This quote likewise speaks to the systemic bigotry that prevailed in the Washington, D.C. area during this time, as African Americans were not only segregated from white individuals, however were also rejected standard rights and privileges that white individuals delighted in. This quote serves as a reminder of the battles that African Americans faced throughout this time, and the value of continuing to fight for racial justice and equality.