Research Paper on 1917 Silent Protest Essay Sample

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Research on 1917 Silent Protest
The National Association of the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) conducted a peaceful demonstration widely known as the Negro silent parade, which occurred on the 28th of July 1917. It was during the Harlem Renaissance period. It was a retort to demonstrators attacking the Black populace in East St, Louis, and Memphis, and Waco's execution. It led to hundreds of injured, hundred deaths, and thousands of Afro-Americans leaving their homes since they were mobbed and burned to the ground (Finley 1). In East St. Louis, Illinois, many white men started raiding African American homes in what is commonly regarded as East St. Louis demonstrations. The Aluminum Ore Company had employed hundreds of African Americans when the white employees arranged their violent plan. Even worse, the situation was when rumors of white women and African American men were intermingling, thus exasperating the white men. The march was held in response to these racist attacks and murders, and equal rights for African Americans. The silent manner in which the protest was held attracted thousands of people and became known as the first mass demonstration held by African Americans, making a massive impact on the civil rights movement. The silent manner also evoked emotions of mournfulness and sorrowfulness to bring awareness to injustices against African Americans.
As a nation, America’s history is deeply rooted in racial injustice and bigotry. Systemic racism has permeated every foundation of America, from bloody colonial conquests of indigenous lands to the state-sponsored servitude that fueled the nation’s economic power. However, America is yet to make peace with its racist past, despite generations of social movements and racial justice protests demanding change. And these movements did not begin with renowned social activists such as Martin Luther King Jr. A century and more ago, tens of thousands of Black Americans, both adults, and children flooded New York City's Fifth Avenue, dressed in white. They could not tolerate the racial violence meted against them by the white supremacists who lynched and torched their property in states like Texas and Tennessee (Barron 1). In East St. Louis, Illinois, African Americans were attacked. The NAACP organized a peaceful protest due to the dissatisfaction and reluctance of the American government to calm down the situation. Many historians argue that the 1917 famous protest sparked the start of the civil rights movement. Could the number of participants and how the protest was done help the African American movement for equal rights? To make accurate interpretations of this question, it remains essential to look into the outcomes of protest. Did the protesters achieve their objective?
Perhaps the opinion of Melissa Barton captures it better. In her book Gather Out of Star-Dust, she acknowledges the significance of the silent parade as among the most important, yet it is among the least remembered. It is an indicator that more protesters could have joined the movement and used more radical strategies to convey their message. Undoubtedly, President Wilson did not provide the needed solutions as the leader of the government to the protesters. When members of the committee signed petitions and demanded a face-to-face meeting with the president, they were turned away because President Wilson was too busy to attend a delegation. While actively engaged in the streets, the procession was comprised of children and women dressed in white as a sign of vulnerability of the victims. The men were behind, dressed in dark suits carrying banners that expressed their outrage. However, records and future occurrences spelled that the 1917 New York City protest did not amount to anything meaningful. Unfortunately, the protester's appeal was not heeded.
Sadly, President Wilson went further ahead to segregate the federal government. Notably, the racial injustices that the silent march was against would only heighten in the coming years. In 1919, for example, the levels of violence increased on a massive scale in what became the Red Summer of 1919 (The Negro Silent Protest Parade). To achieve any significant reforms, it is essential to have a multilayer strategy and action. Many a time, it is not ...