Readings:
Introduction & Chapter 1: Arsenal of Democracy
Questions:
Source for Questions: Charles Brown, “[Marxism-Thaxis] Study Guide: Origins
of the Urban Crisis.” Retrieved Jan 11, 2009.
http://lists.econ.utah.edu/pipermail/marxism-thaxis/2009-January/023574.html
1.
What did Detroit look like in 1940?
2. What
was the condition of manufacturing in Detroit in the 1940s?
3. What
happened to African Americans’ employment possibilities during World War II?
4. What
is the nature of Detroit’s residential housing stock?
5. By
the 1940s, what were the bases for residential segregation?
6. What
does the author point to as the underlying causes of racial inequality in
Detroit?
Assignment - Deadline: Thursday, January 16
A. Post two paragraphs inspired by the study
guide questions/thoughts for the week
B. Post two separate comments to one
or more of your colleagues reacting to their paragraphs.
After reading the introduction and first chapter, I feel this book has already perked my interest. Although I felt the introduction chapter took a little too long setting up the book, the content of chapter one really drew me in.
ReplyDeleteIn the 1940s, Detroit really saw a boom. With an industrial growth rate of more than 40% from 1940-1947, there's no wondering why Detroit was one of the most thriving cities in the early-to-mid 20th century. Additionally, what made Detroit's development very unique was the fact that much of the city was created on the concept of single-family detached homes, giving Detroit a low-rise look. This was a contrast to most major American cities, but due to Detroit's 140-square miles of land, expansion out, instead of up, was an option. As Detroit expanded, so did its struggles with race. With an increasing African-American population in the 1930s and 1940s, many caucasians refused to sell homes to African-American's in white neighborhoods; this being one, of many scenarios that created tension amongst the different races in the city of Detroit.
Mike, I agree on the introduction being excessively long. However, it did provide a foundation for the perils and rise of the city for the upcoming era.
ReplyDeleteDuring the 1940s, due to a massive industrial manufacturing boom, Detroit saw an economic surge. A multitude of jobs brought hope and prosperity, albeit laced with racial issues, to Detroit. Even with challenges, blacks saw Detroit as an opportunity for financial growth and flocked from ‘The South’ to experience these freedoms (ex. sharing street cars and buses with whites along the same drinking fountains and bathrooms). On the flipside, African-Americans were marginalized when it came to housing because of color. In concentrated areas (and some other areas as well) in the city, blacks occupied space with minimal issues. However, if blacks decided to move out of that dense confined space, they were met with threats of violence and brutality. Violating the sanctity of racial boundaries could be detrimental. Blacks found themselves entrapped in rapidly expanding isolated urban ghettos. It was the lack of follow up in judicial decisions where blacks were to be treated to fair housing acts, in addition to deindustrialization, white flight, hardening plus being continuously stereotyped due to increased joblessness and a decaying infrastructure, it could also be looked at as a decaying civilization.
Sounds like they couldn't win one way or the other. That's no way to live and it is sad that people had to go through such hardships. Lack of space, little respect, and basically no rights. That is no way to live. I would've thought my civilization was falling apart too, if I was made to live in a similar situation.
DeleteYour reference to the streetcar reminded me that serving as a streetcar conductor was the first job my father held after coming to Detroit in the 1940s. He told me the streetcar were quicker and ran on a more consistent schedule than buses. However, he claims automakers were the ones who pressured the city into phasing out the streetcars in favor of the exclusive use of buses for public transportation.
DeleteDr. Anderson, I've actually heard the same things about street cars. They were a more efficient mode of mass transit than buses but the auto industry pressured the city into phasing them out.
DeleteFueled by the manufacturing sector, by 1940 Detroit was seen as a mecca for blue-collar workers looking for promises of financial security and home ownership. The automobile industry employed 60% of the workforce, while others found jobs in such industries as stove making, pharmaceuticals, brewing, food processing and furniture making. The influx of migrants to the city accelerated during WWII, as Detroit profited from the manufacturing of military service related products. Wartime allowed greater employment access for African Americans and women across sectors, which previously had been unwelcoming. One to two story single-family homes in neighborhoods defined by race and class seemed to be Detroit’s most dominant topographical feature.
ReplyDeleteAmong the city’s fastest growing migrant population, African Americans from the South were lured to the city to take advantage of Detroit’s growing prosperity. The Black population grew from 5,741 people in 1910 to 149,119 by 1940. Before 1940, most African Americans worked in the service industries. However, the 1940’s saw a steady growth of Black employment in manufacturing jobs, with Ford being the largest employer of this group. African American women tended not to be able to take advantage of these burgeoning opportunities as their Black male or female counterparts. Local chapters of the NAACP and Urban League sought ways to challenge discriminatory employment and housing practices. Yet, strong racial tensions remained between whites and Blacks. One of the most infamous consequences of racial strife occurred in June 1943 with the “Belle Isle” riot. According to Sugrue, “Over the course of three days, 34 people were killed, 25 of them blacks. 675 suffered serious injuries, and 1,893 were arrested before federal trooped subdued the disorder.” (29)
Wow! In all my time living here I'd never heard of the Belle Isle riot. Its statistics are crazy. Who knew so many died, were injured and arrested. I'm sure this only made it even harder for African Americans to shake the stereotypes placed on them. I'm going to look more into this. I'm curious where they housed all those arrested. Time for me to do some research.
DeleteI'm glad you mentioned the production of stoves (I forgot to) because that was a HUGE industry in Detroit at the time that not many people are aware of. Also, Detroit was such a key player in wartime manufacturing that so many people have forgotten over the decades.
DeleteInitially, I was not too interested in this book. The introduction definitely lagged but as I finished and started chapter 1, that changed. It supports my elders recollections of the past and helped me to understand them better than before. Despite the racial indifference, Detroit was successful. The city became known as the "Arsenal of Democracy" in the 1940's. Detroit was 140 sq miles of land, populated by single-family homes.
ReplyDeleteI like the breakdown of segregation, both in Detroit and the world. There are also these new concepts on racism I'd never have thought of. I've definitely gained a new insight on the earlier relationship between African-Americans and Caucasians. The damage from negative stereotypes, placed on African-Americans because of ignorance, caused even more misunderstandings. Caucasians believed African-Americans had many deficiencies, and as a result they separated themselves as much as possible. African-Americans were unable to purchase homes in many Caucasian areas and also weren't given a lot of job opportunities. While World War II for a limited time improved the economic state of African Americans as a lack in labor during wartime industries opened up jobs, these gains were not matched in less housing segregation or other forms of bigotry.
The book does not really emphasize this; however, the same racists Blacks dealt with in the South also migrated North in search of better opportunities. It is no wonder patterns of segregation remained difficult to breach for many decades.
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