The Red Summer of 1919
As a student and teacher of history, whenever I see things going on in the current day, I tend to relate it to the past. One event, just over 100 years ago, was called the Red Summer of 1919. This, similar to the recent Black Lives Matter protests that have rocked cities across the U.S. in recent weeks, was sparked by the death of a black man. His name was Eugene Williams, and his death led to riots, anger, and destruction across the country.Â
This image shows one account of how the Red Summer got started in Chicago (source: Chicago History Museum)
The U.S. has come a long way since the early 1900s. For instance, in 1915, the blockbuster silent film The Birth of a Nation was released, and it helped foment the growing racial conflict in our growing nation. While its technical marvels were impressive (i.e. the first 12 reel film ever produced, over 3 hours long, and it introduced the ideas of an orchestral accompanyment and the intermission), its arguably pro-confederate / klansman message has left it labeled "the most controversial film in American history."Â
Yet we are still wracked by those who claim that things haven't changed enough, since the days when slavery was legal. Debate is fierce and often violent, and many have resorted to illegality to push their message, rather than relying on logic, rhetoric, and civil discourse. Those who disagree push back and say that the system is broken, as evidenced by the continued disparities that they see. Clearly, all can agree there is much pain and division in our country today, no matter what side of the argument you may agree with.
This photo shows how recent race riots in Salt Lake City led to destruction of a police cruiser, Spring 2020
(Source: Salt Lake Tribune)
I only hope that, as America has done in years past, that we might overcome these differences, and in the crucible of this conflict, emerge better and more pure as a result, rather than fractured and fragmented.