1920s Cultural Conflicts: Race

The Great Migration

The “Black Belt” Much like other migrants, African Americans tended to settle in ethnic ghettos. –“Black Belt” in Chicago –“White” vs. “Black” Territorial battle began in many northern cities including Chicago. Frequent violence “Restrictive Covenants”

Revival of the Klan In 1915, Colonel William J. Simmons revived the Klan in Atlanta. –Largely disappeared after Reconstruction –Simmons was inspired by “Birth of a Nation” By 1924, the KKK had 4 million members across the country. –Klan now nationwide. Largest # of members during 1920s is in Indiana –Southern Whites upset at losing their cheap labor source. –Northern Whites want to keep Blacks out of their neighborhood. How do you think African Americans will react to this outpouring of hatred?

Fighting Discrimination NAACP –(National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) –Founded in 1909 –Chapters in all major cities by 1920s. Tried to pass anti-lynching laws. –Successful on the local level. Tried to guarantee blacks voting rights. –Unsuccessful –Garvey Movement Beginnings of “Black Pride” Movement Suggested the African Americans make their own self-sufficient communities. Marcus Garvey

Harlem Renaissance Harlem –New York’s African American neighborhood. Grew from about 50,000 in 1914 to 200,000 in –“Harlem Renaissance” Birthplace of Jazz Center of African American Literature Despite the cultural conflicts facing many African Americans, the 1920s were a period of great cultural advancement. Langston Hughes -Harlem Renaissance Poet

Langston Hughes - “I, Too” (1926) “I too, sing America I am the darker brother, They send me to eat in the kitchen When company comes But I laugh, And eat well, And grow strong… Tomorrow, I’ll be at the table When company comes. Nobody’ll dare Say to me, “Eat in the Kitchen,” Then Besides, They’ll see how beautiful I am And be ashamed- I too am America.”