1919 | Remembering Red Summer: The Forgotten Series of Racial Violence in America's Past

In the summer of 1919, America experienced a series of violent race riots and lynchings that would come to be known as the "Red Summer." The country was still reeling from the devastation of World War I and the flu pandemic, and tensions were high as African American soldiers who had fought in the war returned home to a nation still deeply divided by race.

The riots began in May of 1919, when white mobs in Charleston, South Carolina, attacked and killed several African Americans. This sparked similar incidents in other cities, including Chicago, Washington D.C., and Knoxville, Tennessee. In some cases, the violence was sparked by rumors of African American men assaulting white women, but often it was simply a matter of white resentment towards the increasing political and economic power of African Americans.

One of the most significant incidents of the Red Summer occurred in Chicago, where a week-long race riot left 38 people dead and over 500 injured. The violence was sparked when a group of white men stoned an African American boy who had drifted onto a white beach. In retaliation, African American residents threw rocks back at the white men, and the situation quickly escalated into a full-scale riot. Mobs of white people roamed the streets, attacking African Americans and setting their homes and businesses on fire.

The Red Summer was not limited to urban areas; even rural communities were not safe from the violence. In Elaine, Arkansas, African American sharecroppers had organized themselves to demand better working conditions and higher pay. When a group of white men attempted to break up one of their meetings, shots were fired and several white men were killed. In response, white mobs descended on the town, killing over 200 African Americans and burning down their homes and churches.

Throughout the summer, the violence continued to spread, leaving hundreds of people dead and thousands injured. African Americans were the primary targets, but in some cases, white people who sympathized with them or tried to intervene were also attacked.

The Red Summer had a profound impact on the African American community, further highlighting the deep-seated racism that permeated American society. It also sparked a new wave of activism and political organizing, as African Americans demanded an end to the violence and discrimination they faced. The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) saw a surge in membership during this time, as did other civil rights organizations.

The Red Summer was a tragic and violent period in American history, but it also played an important role in shaping the country's ongoing struggle for racial justice. It served as a stark reminder of the deep-seated racism and discrimination that had to be overcome, and it inspired a new generation of activists to continue the fight for equality and justice.