Racial Segregation manifested itself
physically as well as socially in the 19th Century US city. This way this racial segregation manifested
itself shifted near the end of the 19th Century and the beginning of
the 20th century. This
article will focus on the city of Chicago, as this city was affected socially
and spatially by racial segregation. Chicago is also an interesting city to
study in relation to segregations influence on the city because of the effect
of the Great Migration. Chicago’s African American population was largely
located in one densely populated area, resulting in interesting cultural and
social impacts.
Population
Increase
There was a shift as a movement of African
Americans from the south to the North, known as The Great Migration (Baldwin,
2007). An example is given by Baldwin (p. 23. 2007), stating that there were 44
thousand African Americans living in the area of Chicago known as the ‘Black
belt’ , in 1910. This increased to 233 thousand people in 1930. Whilst the
population increased massively there was little room for the ‘Black Belt’ to
increase. Real estate was restricted,
not officially, as segregation was illegal, but through contracts, meaning that
only certain people could buy houses in certain areas. For those who ignore this unofficial
segregation there were consequences. Almost 60 homes were fire bombed between
1917 and 1921, most of these being African American families who had moved away
into ‘white’ neighbourhoods. (Baldwin, p.25. 2007) Due to these restrictions
the area was forced to densify, as shown by this image this
only caused already existing racial tension to increase, and areas that were
previously mixed to become more fully segregated into different communities.
Old
vs New Settlers
With the increase of the African American
population in Chicago the group was split into the old Settlers and the new
settlers. The Old Settlers, those living in Chicago before the Great Migration,
whilst segregated, were not segregated to the same extent as there was after
the influx of people from the southern states. The New settlers from the south
brought a new culture with them. This culture was one that was in many ways
disapproved of by the ‘old settlers’. The old settlers saw the new immigrants
as causing unnecessary tension and connected them with various vices. The Old
Settlers valued the idea of respectability and saw the new settlers, as
diminishing their image. The new
settlers brought elements of culture from southern cities such as New Orleans,
that were seen as “foreign” The Chicago
Tribute actually described one area as “African Central” (Baldwin, pp. 26,
2007) The old settlers believed in the importance respectability and restraint.
New settlers brought with them many
opposing ideas to those of the Old Settlers. There was an emphasis with culture
and the leisure industries as well as the popular arts such as theatre and
film. Many of these ideas the old settlers as well as other parts of the community
connected with vice. Old settlers blamed many of the new issues with whites, on
the new settlers, believing they were ruing the image they worked hard to
present. The 1919 riots were blamed by some on the “vulgar behaviours and
southern ways migrants brought with them.”
The
Stroll
The Stroll was an area in the South side,
or the “black belt” that was famous, or infamous for its displays of culture.
It demonstrated what the new settlers or the ’New Negroes’ brought to Chicago’s
culture. The Stroll was described as “The Blackman’s Broadway and Wall street.”
(Baldwin, pp.25. 2007) In particular the stroll was famous for its Jazz and
Gambling culture. A quote from one
musician, Eddie Condon was “If you held up a trumpet in the night air of The Stroll, it would play
itself, “(Moos, M, 2010).
However
not everyone was particularly enthusiastic about the stroll. Some saw it as a “Peril
to Health”(Baldwin, 2007) During the day it was a place for the Old Settlers
with what was seen as respectable, manly professions such as banking and
insurance. (Baldwin, 2010). Despite this The Stroll was a necessary part of the
African American part of the city being able to function, largely independent
form the rest of Chicago. A lot of the money that was used for charities and to
set up businesses and all ‘black’ sporting clubs came from the Gambling
Industry. It was seen as important for there to be separate institutions for
African Americans, such as separate sports teams, churches and even a separate
YMCA.
Women
African
American Women influenced and were influenced by the segregation and by the
influx of new migrants. Many more African American women worked than women from
white families. Before the Great Migration most of this work was domestic.
However there was a great reluctance from the New Settler women to work in a
domestic situation.
Old
Settler women valued respectability and this could be seen by the many clubs
that were set up for women. These clubs
emphasised taking part in leisure activities such as sewing or playing cards
rather than going to the Stroll. The Old settlers wanted to ensure the image of
the African American women was more one of “Victorian femininity” (Baldwin,
pp.31, 2007), valuing morality and nurturing, with a focus on domestic work.
New
Settler Women however had very different desires when it came to working. Many
saw domestic work as little better than slavery. One African American women, working as a
prostitute said “When I see the word maid- why, girl, let me tell you, it just
runs through me! I think I’d sooner starve.” (Baldwin, pp.40. 2007)The leisure
industries offered in the Stroll gave women another option for work.
Conclusion
There
was clear racial segregation in cities such as Chicago. The African American
Population was forced to live in highly dense, derelict buildings. However,
through this, in many ways forced closeness, a unique culture and community was
formed. The popular arts were encouraged
in this atmosphere with musical movements such as Jazz and blues, as well as
opportunities for women.
References:
Baldwin,
D. L,(2007). Chicago’s New Negroes.(Mapping
the Black Metropolis). Chapel Hill.
University of North Carolina Press
Moos, M.(2010) Swinging on the South side: The Heartbeat of Chicago Jazz.
Retrieved from http://riverwalkjazz.stanford.edu/program/swinging-south-side-heartbeat-chicago-jazz
Figure 1: Library of Congress. The African- American Mosaic. Retrieved from: http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/african/afam011.html
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