Week 11
Response 2 of 5
When analyzing the Great Migration of African Americans in the early-mid 20th century, it is important to consider their reasons and the factors which influenced their decision; this information can reveal patterns propagation and “false” advertising of America’s reality. Living in the south during this time, African Americans had little to none job opportunities, poor living conditions, and racial/political ridicule. Their migration patterns are explained by two main theories. The Push-Pull theory suggests a migration mainly caused by job demand and financial opportunities in the North, contrasting with the South’s non existent job market for black people. The socio-economic theory suggests a migration fueled by feelings of inequality, social mistreatment, and general discrimination. In the South, slavery’s after effects stung for a very long time, and are still present today. Even though African Americans were free, their equal status was not considered legitimate by most in the South. Things like Jim Crow laws and the grandfather clause served to further reinforce oppression after slavery. While these two theories are different, they can be boiled down to one simple statement that was at the front of every black person’s mind: life in the north is better for me. This is true whether it is for the previously mentioned reasons or even reuniting with family or attempting to reinvent themselves as a person. While these notions of the North being better in this regard were true, it is not to say that it was perfect. In addition, publications such as The Defender became the megaphone for black people. In “Selling the American Dream Myth to Black Southerners,” Alan DeSantis claims that The Defender’s publication numbers do not tell the whole story of its widespread power. He says that, “They do not account for the two modes of informal modes of paper circulation— borrowing and communal reading. Copies of the defender were often shared amongst family members, friends, church congregations, and even members of other communities who could not afford the luxury of buying a newspaper.” (DeSantis, 478) This means that everyone had access and the information was indulged within the company of like-minded, relating, and trustworthy people. This made it more believable and “real.” It’s name, The Defender, also catalyzed a sense of trust, evoking feelings of being protected and represented. Ultimately, the migration of African Americans to the north was the only viable option for them. The south’s adjustment to post-slavery was much harsher than the north’s due to its rural economy, likewise black people’s social status was also at a plateau. The north offered a chance at a different life, the American Dream, which in many cases was simply a dream, but publications, like The Defender, united African Americans and caused an understanding of their mistreatment and illuminated what they deserve to everyone reading.
Questions:
- Would the migration patterns of African Americans have looked different if more people were illiterate and did not have access to publications? How so?
- What do you predict would happen if slavery just ended in the year 2018? Technology is everywhere.
- Why do you think African Americans were not interested in “sticking it out” and building their own strong communities in the south?
