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Post-Reconstruction Politics and Racial Justice in Western Kansas: Race and Resistance in the American Heartland

Bernard Powell

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Published in Nicodemus: Post Reconstruction Politics And Racial Justice In Western Kansas (Race And Culture In The American West 11)

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The post-Reconstruction era in the United States was a time of great upheaval and change, as the nation grappled with the legacy of slavery and the ongoing struggle for racial equality. In Western Kansas, this period was marked by a rise in white supremacy and racial violence, which shaped the region's politics and social landscape for decades to come. This article will explore the complex and often tumultuous history of race relations in Western Kansas during the post-Reconstruction era, examining how white supremacy and racial violence shaped the region's politics and social landscape. Through in-depth research and analysis, the article will shed light on the struggles faced by African Americans and other marginalized groups as they sought to navigate a society deeply divided by racial prejudice and discrimination.

The Rise of White Supremacy

In the aftermath of the Civil War, white supremacy became deeply entrenched in Western Kansas. White settlers from the South brought with them their racist beliefs and attitudes, which were further reinforced by the region's economic and political elites. The Ku Klux Klan, a white supremacist organization that terrorized African Americans and other marginalized groups, gained a strong foothold in Western Kansas. The Klan's violence and intimidation tactics created a climate of fear and oppression, which made it difficult for African Americans to exercise their basic rights.

Nicodemus: Post Reconstruction Politics and Racial Justice in Western Kansas (Race and Culture in the American West 11)

Nicodemus: Post-Reconstruction Politics and Racial Justice in Western Kansas (Race and Culture in the American West Series Book 11)

by Charlotte Hinger

4.8 out of 5

Language	:	English
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Racial Violence and Resistance

Racial violence was another prevalent feature of post-Reconstruction Western Kansas. African Americans were often the targets of lynchings, shootings, and other forms of violence. In 1888, for example, a group of white vigilantes lynched two African American men in the town of Medicine Lodge. The perpetrators were never brought to justice, and the incident sent a clear message that African Americans were not welcome in Western Kansas.

Despite the violence and discrimination they faced, African Americans in Western Kansas fought back against white supremacy. They organized boycotts, protests, and other forms of resistance. In 1889, a group of African American farmers in the town of Nicodemus founded the Exodusters, a cooperative agricultural colony that sought to create a safe haven for African Americans in the West. The Exodusters faced numerous challenges, but they were able to establish a thriving community that became a symbol of resistance and self-determination.

The Politics of Racial Justice

The politics of racial justice in Western Kansas were complex and often contradictory. Some white politicians, influenced by the growing national movement for civil rights, attempted to pass laws to protect African Americans from violence and discrimination. However, these efforts were often met with resistance from white supremacists, who controlled many local and state government offices. As a result, few laws were passed to address the problem of racial violence in Western Kansas.

Despite the challenges, African Americans in Western Kansas continued to fight for their rights. In 1913, they helped to establish the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) in the state. The NAACP played a key role in fighting for racial justice in Western Kansas, and its members were often targets of violence and intimidation. However, the NAACP's efforts helped to raise awareness of the plight of African Americans in the region and to bring about some much-needed changes.

The post-Reconstruction era in Western Kansas was a time of great upheaval and change. White supremacy and racial violence shaped the region's politics and social landscape for decades to come. However, African Americans and other marginalized groups fought back against white supremacy, organizing boycotts, protests, and other forms of resistance. The politics of racial justice in Western Kansas were complex and often contradictory, but the efforts of African Americans and their allies helped to bring about some much-needed changes. Today, Western Kansas is a more diverse and inclusive region, but the legacy of white supremacy and racial violence continues to shape the region's politics and social landscape.

References

Painter, Nell Irvin. The History of White People. W. W. Norton & Company, 2011.
Johnson, Lloyd and Donald Worster. The West: A History of the American Frontier. Fourth Edition. Houghton Mifflin Company, 2001.
Kansas Historical Society. The Exodusters: Black Migration to Kansas After Reconstruction. https://www.kshs.org/kansapedia/exodusters-black-migration-to-kansas-after-reconstruction/16626
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). NAACP Kansas State Conference. https://www.naacp.org/states/kansas/

Nicodemus: Post-Reconstruction Politics and Racial Justice in Western Kansas (Race and Culture in the American West Series Book 11)

by Charlotte Hinger

4.8 out of 5