Segregation is the practice of separating people based on characteristics like race, ethnicity, or religion. This often leads to unequal treatment and opportunities, as certain groups may be given better resources and rights than others. For example, during the Jim Crow era in the United States, African Americans were forced to use separate facilities and schools, which reinforced discrimination and inequality. The effects of segregation can still be seen today in various forms, such as in housing, education, and employment. Efforts to combat segregation, like the Civil Rights Movement, aimed to promote equality and integration, ensuring that everyone has the same rights and opportunities, regardless of their background.