In honor of the 100th anniversary of the Atlanta Race Riot I just want to post this blog in an attampt to increase public awareness of this shameful episode in the city’s history and inspire Atlantans to appreciate differences as opportunities to build community.
During the summer of 1906, white fears of Blacks’ increasing economic and social power, sensationalized rhetoric from white politicians, and unsubstantiated news stories about a black crime wave created a powder keg of racial tension in Atlanta. The powder keg exploded on the night of September 22nd in what became known as the Atlanta Race Riot. By the time the riot ended on September 25th, at least 25 blacks and two whites lay dead. Over 70 were injured.
Over the years, the collective public memory of this act of terrorism has faded, but fears that arose from that violence have continued and have fed the racial attitudes that segregate our city. In 1913, Leo Frank, a Jewish supervisor at an Atlanta factory, was put on trial for raping and murdering a thirteen-year old white employee. After doubts about Frank's guilt led his death sentence to be commuted in 1915, riots broke out in Atlanta and Frank was lynched.
Many people have forgotten about these riots but those of us who attnd classes at Georgia State everyday walk the very streets where these riots occurred. Anyone who has been to Underground Atlanta has seen the concrete slabs with rings in the sides where these victims were shackled, beaten, and left for dead.
In the spirit of Sankofa, I ask that you all make an attempt to remember your history. We must go back to reclaim our past so we can move forward; so we understand why and how we came to be who we are today.
I couldn't agree more. I think it is very important for Americans to properly explore their ethnic histories. They need to understand that they are not just 'black' or 'white' or 'Latino' or 'Asian' etc. All these groups are made up of hundreds of ethnicities each with it's own individual history. I think race as a means of judging somebody is the bottom of the barrell and the least accurate. I mean a black guy living in New York will more than likely have more in common with a white guy living in New York than either will have in common with a black or white guy from, say France. There is a very interesting book called 'How the Irish Became White' by Noel Ignatiev, which explores the fallacy of the notion of there being a 'white race' and explores the very close relationship between the Irish and African histories in America. There is only one race, the human race, albeit with many cultures, and physical characteristics, it still remains one race.