Oral d’anglais

Hello everyone, my name is Iliasse, and I'm in the final year of my professional Bac MELEC
program. Today, I will talk about what it was like to live in a segregated state in the United States.
We studied the civil rights movement in English and I had the idea it was interesting to focus on
segregation.
Segregation had an impact on African Americans in three main areas: daily life and public facilities,
education, and employment and legal challenges. First, I’ll deal with daily life and public facilities.
Then, we will examine the impact on education. Finally, we will discuss the challenges in
employment and the legal system

First, daily life under segregation was marked by strict separation between black and white people
in public facilities. Black and white people could not use the same places like schools, parks,
restaurants, and even drinking fountains. Black people had to use separate and often inferior
public restrooms and water fountains. Signs labeled "Whites Only" or "Colored" were everywhere,
constantly reminding black people of their lower status. This separation was not just inconvenient
but also deeply humiliating. For example, black families traveling long distances often struggled to
find places to eat or stay overnight because many establishments refused to serve them. One key
date to remember is 1955, the year of the Montgomery Bus Boycott, which highlighted the
everyday struggles and resistance against segregation in public transportation.

Then, the impact of segregation on education was significant. Schools for black children were
underfunded compared to those for white children. They had fewer resources, outdated
textbooks, and overcrowded classrooms. In some areas, black schools were so under-resourced
that students had to share textbooks, and basic supplies like desks and chairs were in short supply.
Despite these challenges, black communities placed a high value on education. Teachers in black
schools often worked long hours for little pay, and parents did everything they could to support
their children's education. However, the lack of quality education limited opportunities for black
children and perpetuated the cycle of poverty and inequality. Many black students had to walk
long distances to school because they were not provided with transportation. A crucial date is
1954, when the Supreme Court's decision in Brown v. Board of Education declared that racial
segregation in public schools was unconstitutional, marking a significant step towards educational
equality.

Finally, segregation created significant challenges in employment and the legal system. Black
people were often restricted to low-paying, menial jobs such as domestic workers, laborers, and
farmhands. Even when they had the qualifications for better positions, they were denied
opportunities due to racial discrimination. Black professionals like doctors and lawyers often could
not find work in their fields or were paid much less than their white counterparts. Moreover, the
legal system was biased against black people. They often did not receive fair trials and were subject
to harsher punishments than white people. The police force was predominantly white and often
enforced segregation laws with brutality. Racial violence, including lynching, was prevalent and
rarely punished, creating a climate of fear and oppression. One significant date is 1964, the year
the Civil Rights Act was passed, which outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex,
or national origin, aiming to end segregation in public places and ban employment discrimination.

In conclusion, living in a segregated state was extremely challenging for black people due to the
pervasive discrimination in daily life, education, and employment, as well as the biased legal
system. Despite these hardships, black communities showed remarkable resilience and fought
tirelessly for equality. The Civil Rights Movement, led by figures like Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa
Parks, played a crucial role in challenging and eventually dismantling segregation. Their struggles
and achievements during the Civil Rights Movement have left a lasting impact, and it is important
to remember their efforts as we continue to strive for a fair and equal society. By understanding
the difficulties faced by those who lived through segregation, we can better appreciate the
progress that has been made and recognize the work that still needs to be done to achieve true
equality. Thank you for listening.

Ton texte a des phrases bien trop complexes pour de l’oral, il faut tout simplifier, ce sera + facile à
apprendre, et plus naturel.
Tu as oublié l’essentiel : dans les états ségrégués (segregated states), les Noirs ne pouvaient pas
voter. Tout le reste découle de ça.