Category Archives: Race, History & American Society

Writing on race, Black history, slavery, segregation, civil rights, white supremacy, racial inequality, historical memory, and the continuing influence of American history on contemporary society.

On this day in history, June 2, 2011 — Alabama Passes Anti-Immigrant Legislation Authorizing Racial Profiling

Posted on June 3, 2018 by William Eric Waters, aka Easy Waters

On June 2, 2011, Alabama’s Republican-controlled state legislature passed House Bill (HB) 56, a controversial anti-immigration bill much tougher than a similar Arizona law passed the year before. One week later, Alabama Governor Robert Bentley signed the bill into law. … Continue reading →

Posted in Justice Chronicles, Race, History & American Society | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

On this day in history, June 3, 1943 –White Factory Workers in Detroit Strike to Protest Promotion of Black Workers

Posted on June 3, 2018 by William Eric Waters, aka Easy Waters

In the early 1940’s, many people migrated to Northern cities from rural areas in the Deep South in search of manufacturing jobs in the growing wartime economy. The four-county area of Detroit, Michigan, received a disproportionally large number of defense … Continue reading →

Posted in Justice Chronicles, Race, History & American Society | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

On this day in history, June 1, 1921 — White Rioters in Tulsa Leave Hundreds Dead, Black Community Destroyed

Posted on June 1, 2018 by William Eric Waters, aka Easy Waters

In 1921, the black community of Tulsa, Oklahoma, enjoyed significant economic prosperity and political independence. Located in the city’s Greenwood District and known as “Negro Wall Street,” it was considered one of the wealthiest black communities in the nation. On … Continue reading →

Posted in Race, History & American Society | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

On this day in history, May 30, 1822 — Denmark Vesey’s Rebellion Against Slavery Uncovered

Posted on May 30, 2018 by William Eric Waters, aka Easy Waters

Denmark Vesey spent his childhood traveling throughout the Caribbean as an enslaved black servant of a white sea captain, then worked for the captain as a house servant in Charleston, South Carolina. Mr. Vesey eventually started a family, fathered three … Continue reading →

Posted in Race, History & American Society | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

On this day in history, May 30, 1943 White Sailors and Soldiers Attack Latino Youth in Los Angeles Zoot Suit Riots

Posted on May 30, 2018 by William Eric Waters, aka Easy Waters

World War II fueled a population influx into Los Angeles, California, in 1943 that coincided with an increase in petty crime. White residents blamed Latino youth, who often wore distinctive, colorful garments known as “zoot suits.” Many members of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Race, History & American Society | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

On this day in history, May 29, 1917 — White Mob Riots in East St. Louis Over Threat of Black Labor

Posted on May 29, 2018 by William Eric Waters, aka Easy Waters

On May 28, 1917, in East St. Louis, Illinois, a meeting of 3000 white union members marched on the Mayor’s office to make demands about the job competition resulting from the city’s growing African American population. The disgruntled union members … Continue reading →

Posted in Race, History & American Society | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

On this day in history, May 28, 1830 — Indian Removal Act Forces Indian Tribes to Migrate West

Posted on May 28, 2018 by William Eric Waters, aka Easy Waters

On May 28, 1830, President Andrew Jackson signed the Indian Removal Act, which authorized the President to grant land west of the Mississippi River in exchange for the lands of the American Indian tribes living primarily in the southeastern United … Continue reading →

Posted in Race, History & American Society | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

On this day in history, May 27, 1892 — White Mob Destroys Ida B. Wells’s Newspaper Office in Memphis, Tennessee

Posted on May 27, 2018 by William Eric Waters, aka Easy Waters

After three of her friends were lynched in March 1892, Ida B. Wells became an outspoken activist against white vigilantes’ frequent murders of black people and terrorism of black communities. A 29-year-old black schoolteacher in Memphis, Tennessee, Ms. Wells was … Continue reading →

Posted in Race, History & American Society | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

On this day in history, May 25, 1994 –Denny’s Restaurant Pays Historic Settlement in Racial Discrimination Suit

Posted on May 25, 2018 by William Eric Waters, aka Easy Waters

During the early 1990’s, Denny’s Restaurants (particularly franchises located in Southern California) were accused of widespread discrimination against black customers. Complaints alleged racially segregated customer seating and forcing black customers to pay for their meals before eating. With the assistance … Continue reading →

Posted in Race, History & American Society | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

On this day in history, May 23, 1796 — Ad Offers Reward for Return of Runaway Slave to President George Washington

Posted on May 23, 2018 by William Eric Waters, aka Easy Waters

On May 23, 1796, a newspaper ad was submitted for publication that sought the return of Ona “Oney” Judge, an enslaved black woman who had “absconded from the household of the President of the United States,” George Washington. Ms. Judge … Continue reading →

Posted in Race, History & American Society | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment