From NBC News:
Illinois‘s two senators have called on President-elect Joe Biden to make the site of a 1908 race riot in Springfield a national monument.Wikipedia has an extensive article about the riot, which might be better described as racial terrorism.
Sens. Tammy Duckworth and Dick Durbin, both Democrats, wrote to Biden Thursday asking for the designation, citing the riot’s historic significance, especially its role in inspiring the founding of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.
comments: 3
I've probably heard that the Springfield white race riots were part of what led to the founding of the NAACP, I don't believe I've ever read the details. Wow.
Tulsa was worse.
Pat, in all the years I've lived in Illinois, I've never heard anyone speak of these events. (I do know something of the history of racism here, which includes many sundown towns.)
Elaine, I learned about Tulsa many years ago from reading the poet Ron Padgett ( a native Tulsan). Yes, it’s harrowing history.
Post a Comment