Negophobia by Mark Bauerlein - Essay Example

?Negrophobia by Mark Bauerlien A discussion of the factors leading to the 1906 riot Introduction: Negrophobia is a book which enlivens the history ofbloodshed and tears which occurred as a consequence of the 1906 racial riots and examines in detail the factors which led to the riot taking place. In this book, Bauerlien’s beautifully designed writing piece makes readers imagine a true picture of the riot which took place in 1906 between African Americans and White Americans. This book covers details of historic riot and provides enlightenment concerning the actual causes of the riot, the effects of which can still be seen or felt among both races. The riot was based on color and race discrimination among Blacks and Whites in Atlanta which ultimately spread from Atlanta to Georgia and throughout the United States of America. The actual riot began on 22nd September, 1906 and ended on 26th September, 1906 between White and Black masses, in which Black African lost around 40 lives. The riot didn’t occur suddenly because of any one issue; instead it was an explosion in retaliation of continuous plot weaved on the false accusations made on Blacks in regard of White women by some criminal minded people. Historic Background of Atlanta: In the beginning of the twentieth century, Atlanta was progressing rapidly. White and Blacks had different vision and identities but were parallel in growth and competition. The growth in the Black’s population and their expansion in social intermingling threatened the White elites who then favored Jim Crow’s Segregation concept and stood hard to separate seating arrangement in public transport and discouraged neighborhoods with blacks. On the other hand, Black elites were gaining power, were getting majorly involved in politics and were promoting Black youngsters in almost every walk of life. This cold war started showing its signs and finally surfaced in the middle of the Gubernatorial contest during which desperate leaders played an unethical trick to create racial tension in order to win the favor of the majority. This was done through the instigation of a rumor based campaign focused on “Negro-Crime”. Here, African American males were accused of sexual crimes against White females, although there was no evidence that this was occurring, and the driving factor was simple prejudice. The air of hatred, racial and sexual inequality diffused in the atmosphere and provoked a claim for a new vision for South Atlanta. Causes: At the end of the civil war, tension remained high between the Whites and the Blacks, with both races unsure of what the years to come would bring. In Atlanta, election hype created enthusiasm between the two majority groups within the State as a consequence of the growing powers of Blacks in jobs, voting rights, and other political realm. The competition between Blacks and Whites was heightened by the growing status differences, and many Whites were concerned that they would no longer be able to think of or treat the Blacks as being inferior. This drove the creation of rumors and threats to demoralize blacks in the society. Whites were charged by the manipulated stories during Gubernatorial Elections of 1906. The main candidates were Hoke Smith and Clark Howell, who were struggling against each other for democratic elections. They both were linked with publishing newspapers and therefore took advantage of their powers in print media and published false stories to attack Black communities who were running successful businesses like saloons and bars. To destabilize Blacks and their businesses, Atlanta Georgian and Atlanta News began to air false stories of Black men molesting and then raping white women. Both candidates were looking ways to demoralize Blacks and prevent them from voting therefore did multiple attacks narrating that White Women are victimized by the Blacks which made Whites furious and brought them to streets. These stories circulated throughout the city with lurid stories and cartoon sketching saying that White’s mothers, sisters or wives are treated dreadfully in Black’s saloons or bars1. Contradictions: On the other hand, Smith claimed that Blacks rising power and economic hold could sweep away Whites from social supremacy and Whites would no longer be able to maintain social order. Therefore, Blacks should not be supported in any medium of life. Whereas, Hook blamed Smith of being involved with Black leaders to support Black communities in gaining power so Smith was not the right person to be relied upon. These unethical transactions of speech enraged both Whites and Blacks to confront each other which finally resulted in a four day long gloomy riot. Bauerlein finely traced the historic event of sad summer in 1906, and compiled it into a book to help readers understand what misunderstandings made Blacks and Whites hate each other2. Outcomes: The most devastating riot began after the most sensationalizing stories of four alleged white women. On Saturday, 22nd September, when hundreds of white men and young boys gathered in downtown, altercation was unstoppable and turned into a bloody riot. This lasted four days, and left its brutal marks on Black communities forever. Its aftermath included the destruction of economical and social statuses of Blacks which destabilized their businesses and created problems for their housing societies. Later after riots, African Americans settled in West of Atlanta or in downtown in the form of Black communities. The root of racial differences and discrimination turned into solid grounds and it is still found within Whites and Blacks3. It cannot be denied that Whites who were in majority caused major damages to Black communities, businesses and took around 40 lives and in return, they lost two Whites which was an unmatchable deal4. Conclusion: The narration of Mark Bauerlien’s Negrophobia is impressive and can easily help people visualize the cruel history of Blacks and Whites. He emphasized that the foundations were weak since beginning and got more brittle after the riot. Mark pointed that the issue of discrimination was brought to scene by two racist leaders who manipulated for their own advantages. Whites proved to be extremely racist and brutal for humanity. REFERENCES: Bauerlein, M. Negrophobia: A Race Riot in Atlanta, 1906: (Encounter Books, 2001). Dorsey, A. To Build Our Lives Together: Community Formation in Black Atlanta, 1875-1906 (Athens. Athens: University of Georgia Press, 2004). Mixon, G. The Atlanta Riot: Race, Class, and Violence in a New South City. (Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2005). 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