Podcast Summary
Lessons from the past: Understanding history, celebrating diverse cultures, and seeking opportunities for growth and savings are important reminders.
Stories from the past can provide valuable lessons for the present. Johanna Ferreira shared a personal anecdote about her great-grandmother's warning, which she didn't fully understand at the time. However, later in life, Cynthia Brown came to realize that her great-grandmother was warning her about the racial violence that had occurred in Wilmington, North Carolina, during the late 1800s. This historical event, which saw a thriving African American community being targeted and displaced, is an important reminder of the past struggles and resilience of marginalized communities. Meanwhile, in the present, Johanna encourages listeners to celebrate and engage with Latine culture through Juntos on Prime, offering a range of content from movies and TV shows to music and shopping. Additionally, Progressive offers savings opportunities for multitaskers, encouraging listeners to switch and save on average $750. These stories, both past and present, serve as reminders of the importance of understanding history, celebrating diverse cultures, and seeking opportunities for growth and savings.
Fusion Party and Wilmington's Multiracial Government: During the late 1800s, Wilmington, NC had a multiracial government due to the Fusion Party, a coalition of black voters and poor white farmers/laborers. However, white supremacists orchestrated a campaign of disinformation and intimidation to regain control, leading to the overthrow of the government in 1898 and the end of Reconstruction in NC.
Wilmington, North Carolina, stood out among southern cities during the late 1800s for its relatively large black population and multiracial government. Blacks held significant positions in city government, including elected and appointed roles. This was part of the Fusion Party, a coalition of poor white farmers, laborers, and black voters that challenged the white supremacist Democratic party. However, white supremacists, led by Josephus Daniels and the Raleigh News and Observer, saw this as a threat and orchestrated a campaign of disinformation and intimidation to regain control. They announced their plans to steal the election and overthrow the government, which they did in November 1898 through violence and intimidation. This event marked the end of Reconstruction in North Carolina and the return of white supremacist rule.
White supremacists exploited racial tensions and sexual insecurities to incite fear and anger against black men in Wilmington, North Carolina in 1898.: During the Wilmington Massacre, false reports of rape and inflammatory editorials fueled racial tensions, leading to the violent overthrow of the black-led government and a setback for black civil rights.
During the Wilmington Massacre of 1898, white supremacists exploited racial tensions and sexual insecurities to incite fear and anger among white voters through false reports of rape by black men. Newspapers, including the News and Observer, published inflammatory editorials and stories, leading to calls for violence against black men and their allies. The editor of the Wilmington Daily Record, Alex Manley, responded with a controversial editorial acknowledging consensual relationships between black men and white women and accusing white men of historical rape of black women. This further enraged whites, and the Democratic Party used the controversy to promote their white supremacy campaign. The Red Shirts, white vigilantes, were deployed to intimidate and threaten black voters, leading to the violent overthrow of the black-led government in Wilmington. This event marked a significant setback for black political power and civil rights in North Carolina.
Election Fraud in Wilmington, North Carolina in 1898: In 1898, election fraud occurred in Wilmington, NC, resulting in Democrats winning state legislature, county offices, and federal seats through intimidation, ballot stuffing, and replacement of legitimate ballots.
The election in Wilmington, North Carolina in 1898 was not a fair one. A former Confederate officer named Colonel Alfred Moore Waddell gave a provocative speech the night before the election, urging the crowd to intimidate and even harm black men trying to vote. The next day, armed vigilantes, known as the Red Shirts, carried out Waddell's instructions, creating chaos and diverting attention from polling places to stuff ballots and replace legitimate Republican ballots with phony Democratic ones. The result was a successful fraud that led to Democrats winning the elections for state legislature, county offices, and even the US senate and house. This dark chapter in American history highlights the importance of fair and free elections and the potential consequences when they are compromised. Meanwhile, for a different kind of protection, Progressive Insurance offers affordable car insurance with an average savings of $744 for new customers. And for cat owners, Pretty Litter offers peace of mind by detecting early signs of illness in your feline friend.
Wilmington Race Riot of 1898: A Successful Coup in American History: In 1898, a white mob overthrew the Wilmington, North Carolina government, marking the only successful coup in US history. They targeted the black community, burning down a newspaper and killing several men, revealing deep-seated racial tensions and power dynamics.
In Wilmington, North Carolina, in 1898, before the official election results were even in, a group of white men, fueled by racial tensions and a desire for power, organized a meeting to overthrow the municipal government, which was under "Negro rule." This led to a violent coup, during which they burned down the black-owned newspaper and killed several black men. The event, known as the Wilmington Race Riot, marked the only successful coup in American history, and it highlighted the deep-seated racial divide and the power dynamics of the time. The riot left a lasting impact on the community and serves as a reminder of the complex and often violent history of race relations in the United States.
Wilmington Insurrection of 1898: A Violent Coup Resulting in Expulsion of Black Population and Seizure of Political Power: During the Wilmington Insurrection of 1898, a violent coup occurred, resulting in the expulsion of the city's black population and seizure of political power by white supremacists. At least 60 black men were killed and many more wounded.
During the Wilmington Insurrection of 1898, a violent coup took place in North Carolina, resulting in the expulsion of the city's black population and the seizure of political power by white supremacists. My great-great-grandmother and her family, including my great-grandmother, managed to escape to Pine Forest Cemetery for safety during the chaos. They hid there for several days, fearing for their lives, and were eventually reunited when it was deemed safe to leave. The mob, led by Colonel Waddell, forced the resignation of the black and white aldermen, the white mayor, and the white police chief, and appointed their own leaders to these positions. Estimates suggest that at least 60 black men were killed during the riot, with many more wounded. The event received significant national coverage, with newspaper men from around the country reporting on the incident.
White supremacists manipulate media to justify coup in Wilmington, North Carolina: White supremacists exploited false narratives about a black uprising to take control of Wilmington's government, leading to the expulsion of thousands of black residents, the collapse of the black middle class, and the institutionalization of Jim Crow laws and the elimination of the black vote in North Carolina for nearly a century
The Wilmington Coup of 1898 was a significant event in American history, during which white supremacists took control of the city government in Wilmington, North Carolina, leading to the expulsion of thousands of black residents and the collapse of the black middle class. The white supremacists manipulated Northern reporters, providing them with false narratives about a planned black uprising and black incompetence, which was then spread throughout the country, solidifying the belief in white supremacy and justifying the coup. The consequences were devastating, leading to the institutionalization of white supremacy as official policy, the first Jim Crow laws, and the elimination of the black vote in North Carolina for nearly a century. Despite the brazenness of the coup and its leaders, the true story was eventually forgotten, with it being mischaracterized as a necessary response to a corrupt and violent black government.
Hidden History of Wilmington Massacre: The Wilmington Massacre of 1898, a violent overthrow of a predominantly black government, was deliberately hidden from history books for over a century, leaving a traumatic legacy for the African American community.
The history of the Wilmington Massacre of 1898, a violent overthrow of a predominantly black government, was deliberately hidden from the general public for decades. Cynthia Brown, whose great grandmother survived the event, recounts her experience of being denied access to information about it as a teenager. The massacre, which involved the murder of numerous African Americans and the forced exodus of many more, was portrayed in history textbooks as a good government initiative. This mischaracterization continued for over a century, leaving many African Americans who remained in Wilmington with a sense of fear, anxiety, and a feeling of not being able to speak out or escape. Today, the legacy of this traumatic event continues to haunt the community, with the newspaper that supported the massacre still in circulation. It serves as a reminder of the importance of acknowledging and learning from our past, even when it is uncomfortable or painful.
Josephus's Contradictory Legacy: Historical figures have complex legacies, and it's essential to critically examine their past actions and acknowledge contradictions when creating public monuments.
Historical figures can have complex and contradictory legacies. Josephus, a journalist celebrated for his progressive values in the early 1970s, was later revealed to be a committed white supremacist who orchestrated misinformation and propaganda campaigns during the 18/98 era. This discovery led to the removal of his statue from the News and Observer building in Raleigh, North Carolina. It serves as a reminder that it's essential to critically examine the past and acknowledge the complexities and contradictions that come with it. This is especially important in the context of public monuments and the messages they convey. In our modern world, where information is readily available, it's crucial to approach historical figures with an open mind and a willingness to learn about their full stories.
