What was the south like for african americans in the 1950's?

It was dreadful. Segregation was an extreme issue. They came back from World War 2 only to be greeted by people who hated them even after all they gave for the country. The south was led by the separate but equal policy and this enabled them to fully segregate the african american community from all spheres of influence and life. That's why the civil rights movement was created, to fight the oppression.