Week Five - The Origins of Jim Crow, the Battle for Women’s Rights, and the “Progressives”
Share an idea or two from this week's reading. What was most interesting to you? What was most strange? How does the reading this week fit into issues and discussions we have had in this class?
I thought it was interesting how despite the hardships and discrimination they experienced, Booker T. Washington and others were so optimistic about the future. He knew the situation with racism in America could only get better; so he worked towards moving forward and making it happen.
ReplyDeleteLynching at the Curve is a perfect example of the lawlessness of the South for black Americans at the end of the 19th century. The reading illustrates how Jim Crow laws prevented blacks from making socio-economic progress in this era. Thomas Moss' final words summarizes his state and the state of the black community in the South at this time. "Tell my people to go West- there is no justice for them here." A disheartening and may I say hopeless statement to make as one's final words speaks volumes regarding the situation all Southern blacks were facing at this point in history. This serves as yet another example of the prevention of gain on the black community brought upon them by the Southern white slave-owners who wished to continue to keep the black community in what they thought was their rightful place.
ReplyDeleteBooker T. Washington, was one of the first black men to have an education and speak in front of a crowd of predominately white man over the racial injustice that was going on in 1895. He used the analogy of casting your bucket to receive water. He said cast down your bucket and make friends in every manly way with every race that is surrounded by them.
ReplyDeleteLynching at the curve talks about the lynchings that were going on in Memphis. What I found really shocking was that when Tom Moss was about to get lynched he was begging for on the sake of his wife and his unborn child, telling to go west because the south did not have any justice for them. This shed a light to what was going on with the racial injustice.
i was so shocked that something like the lynching in Memphis that ida b wells described in her article happened in the place we live just over a 100 years ago. The world was very different back then and around that time it was in a deep racial prejudice even though slavery had been abolished by this time. The united states seemed to be living in a "separate but equal" world which Booker T. Washington talked about in his Atlanta Compromise speech.This reminds me of the idea of sharecropping that the slave owners would do to keep owning their slaves, but consider them free when they weren't completely.
ReplyDeleteThe most unsettling reading assignment thus far in this course. The fact lynching, blatant racism, and persecution solely due to the color of one’s skin is not that far in the past is enough to make one sick to their stomach. I found the writing by Booker T. Washington and Ida B. Wells the most interesting. Booker T. Washington's quote about casting your bucket down was the most compelling excerpt of the readings in my opinion.
ReplyDeleteI found the excerpt about the Memphis lynchings to be the most interesting. It gave an in depth perspective on the political climate in Memphis during the late 1800's after the Civil War. It was chaotic to say the least, and white men could get away with committing great atrocities to the black community without repercussions. In fact, the police more often than not sided with the whites. It is amazing that men were able to walk right into the Memphis jail and take the black grocery store owners without resistance. This would never be allowed today in Memphis.
ReplyDeleteI thought that Booker T Washington's Atlanta Compromise Speech was the most strange. I think he overestimates the willingness of white men during that period to form friendly relations with the black community. He seemed to be implying that black's had more influence in their future than most people though. I disagree with this because at the time, even if a black man was an objectively better person than a white man, the white man would almost always be seen with more respect. This is displayed in Mary Church Terrell's What it Means to be Colored in the Capital of the U.S.. She say's that even blacks who were more qualified than their white counterparts never were given respectful and well paying jobs. She then states that many restaurants would not serve black customers even if they had a pocket full of money. We are truly blessed to grow up in a different time period.
It is so hard to believe that lynching happened right here in Memphis. What was the most interesting and strange to me was that white men would not only whip small colored children who won at games of marbles, but that they would issue a warrant for their arrest. It is completely ridiculous for anyone to be so prejudiced that they can't even lose at a game without lashing out. Children were being flogged over games. I cannot even begin to comprehend the full extend of these atrocities.
ReplyDeleteLynching was a terrible reality for African Americans to go through during these times, especially after they were considered "free men". Booker T. Washington, founder of the Tuskegee Institute, saw this as an opportunity to address a gathering of predominantly white people in Atlanta. He persuades the people that in order for the United States to grow as nation, it was imperative that the African American race could not be disregarded, whether it be politically or socially, which in my opinion was one of the most powerful and influential speeches in American history and a huge turning point for the nation.
ReplyDeleteOn this weeks topic I found it very interesting that both W.E.B Dubios and Booker T. Washington wanted a good education for all blacks, and wanted to end racism as well. But I thought it was very strange that W.E.B Dubios demanded civil rights now and Booker T. was willing to wait for civil rights. It kind of reminds me of Martin Luther King and Malcolm X, because both men wanted the same thing for black. But Martin was peaceful and patience and Malcolm was ready to fight for what he wanted.
ReplyDeleteIt's was interesting how blacks had to go through lynchings and it saddens me that I live in Memphis a place were it was going on. Thank God for now. I loved the fact that Booker T. Washington was educated and wanting that for all blacks. Sad that Jim Crow laws kept blacks from progressing
ReplyDeleteConsidering this weeks lecture and readings, I was rather shocked that a lynching occurred in Memphis, TN as described in Ida B. Wells story "The Lynching at the Curve." I loved that she believed that she should defend the cause of right and fight wrong wherever she saw it. I think that it was unfair that if blacks won things such as a game of marbles; whites would retaliate by beating them. They were just regular people who wanted to own their own businesses and be treated like normal people. For example, The People's Grocery Company, weren't protected just because they were out of the city limits of the town. Whites felt like they could take advantage because the owners were black, so they broke into their store. These blacks were lynched because they protected their store, and shot at the white stealers. My point here is if this was a white owner and he shot at the blacks, there wouldn't have be any retaliation towards them. Which is not equal or fair.
ReplyDeleteTrakayah Taylor
In Booker T. Washington's "Atlanta Compromise Speech" He specified that he wants people to come together as neighbors and help one another. Her wants white men to help African Americans since they are some of the people to help the South become what it is in 1895. He wants them to help educate people of his race as long as they have a heart. By doing this, it will insure that they have the same loyal people by their sides. It amazes me that the organizers of the Cotton States and International Exposition really did not want the public sentiment but was more focused on impressing the Northern visitors. It amazes me that Booker T. Washington had enough dignity to speak in front of a predominately white audience and give one of the most powerful speeches that he did.
ReplyDeleteIn past history classes we mentioned the name of Booker T. Washington, but we never really discussed him in depth. I found it interesting that in the reading that he and others fought against racism persistently. They stayed focused, they stayed positive, and they knew that things could only get better because they were pretty much at the worst. I also liked how he thought black people should earn their rights and work for them, unlike W.E.B Dubois who demanded that they were handed their rights. Both men wanted the same thing but had different approaches to the situation.
ReplyDeleteBrennon Lewis
After reading Booker T. Washington's "Atlanta Compromise Speech" and Ida B Well's "The Lynching at the Curve" I realized how much society has changed in such a short period of time. I knew about America's dark history and its struggles as a developing country but reading about history that occurred right here in the city I am living in is eye-opening. Even when African-American children would win games of marbles they would be beaten. Booker T Washington was a very intelligent man who wanted better for African-Americans. He encouraged education to all people and therefore opened his own institution. I have much respect for Booker T Washington and Ida B Wells for their bravery and perseverance in this difficult period in America.
ReplyDeleteI found it very interesting how lynching, baltant, and racism was all happening here in Memphis the city I've spent my entire life. I found it strange how Booker T. Washington a very intelligent man still had faith in the future of African Americans
ReplyDeleteThis weeks readings really tied into our discussion in class. The most interesting thing I read, which we also discussed in class, was the differences between Booker T. Washington & DuBois. These two icons played a crucial role in the pursuit of civil rights for African Americans, but the main problem at this time for the African American community was whose philosophy to follow. They had options of supporting Garvey, DuBois, or Washington; all with completely different outlooks/solutions. It was really odd to me that Garvey had so many followers with such a rdical ideology. Maybe at the time this wasn't so radical (they did treat the black community so horrible words can't describe how bad it is) but I figured DuBois would have the biggest following. To this day we have multiple schools in IL, where I am from, that are dedicated to Booker T. and DuBois. They obviously had a big enough impact on the culture at the time and they paved the way for many more activist like King to come. Segregation really set us back as a country but I am glad we do not have it now. Hopefully others will learn from our mistakes.
ReplyDelete-Jon Schrand