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 1930.

– “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.”