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June 26, 2023 • 6hr 41min
Sticky: #23 – Whose America?, pt. 2: Inner City Blues
The Martyr Made Podcast
This episode examines the dramatic demographic changes in American cities caused by the Great Migration of African Americans from the rural South to urban areas in the North and West between 1915-1960. It focuses particularly on how this massive population shift impacted New York City, leading to tensions between newly arrived black residents and existing white ethnic communities. The podcast explores how these tensions came to a head in the 1968 Ocean Hill-Brownsville school district controversy, which pitted black community activists against the largely Jewish teachers union. This conflict is presented as a key moment that damaged relations between blacks and Jews and contributed to the fracturing of the civil rights coalition.
Sticky: #23 – Whose America?, pt. 2: Inner City Blues
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Key Takeaways
- The Great Migration of 1915-1960 saw over 6 million African Americans move from the rural South to cities in the North and West, radically transforming urban demographics and politics
- This massive demographic shift led to tensions between newly arrived black migrants and existing white ethnic communities in northern cities like New York
- The Ocean Hill-Brownsville school district controversy in 1968 New York City was a flashpoint that highlighted growing racial tensions and conflicts over community control of schools
- The controversy pitted black community activists against the largely Jewish teachers union, damaging the alliance between blacks and Jews that had powered the civil rights movement
- The events of the 1960s, including urban riots and conflicts like Ocean Hill-Brownsville, led to the breakdown of relations between Jewish and black activists and organizations
- This loss of Jewish support for civil rights causes contributed to a broader white backlash and retreat from efforts to address urban poverty and racial inequality
Introduction
This episode examines the dramatic demographic changes in American cities caused by the Great Migration of African Americans from the rural South to urban areas in the North and West between 1915-1960. It focuses particularly on how this massive population shift impacted New York City, leading to tensions between newly arrived black residents and existing white ethnic communities. The podcast explores how these tensions came to a head in the 1968 Ocean Hill-Brownsville school district controversy, which pitted black community activists against the largely Jewish teachers union. This conflict is presented as a key moment that damaged relations between blacks and Jews and contributed to the fracturing of the civil rights coalition.
Topics Discussed
The Great Migration and Demographic Changes in Northern Cities (4:03)
- Between 1915-1960, over 6 million African Americans moved from the rural South to cities in the North and West
- This was one of the largest mass migrations in human history and radically transformed the demographics of northern cities
- In New York City, the black population grew from about 2% in 1900 to over 25% by 1960
- This rapid demographic shift put pressure on housing, schools, and other urban infrastructure
Tensions Between New Black Residents and Existing Ethnic Communities (16:07)
- Newly arrived black migrants often moved into neighborhoods previously dominated by white ethnic groups like Jews, Italians, and Irish
- This led to tensions as these groups competed for housing, jobs, and political influence
- Many white ethnic residents viewed the influx of black residents as a threat to their communities
- Black residents faced discrimination and hostility from some existing white ethnic communities
The Ocean Hill-Brownsville Controversy (28:10)
- In 1968, the New York City school system experimented with community control in several districts, including Ocean Hill-Brownsville in Brooklyn
- The local school board, led by black and Puerto Rican activists, fired several white (mostly Jewish) teachers and administrators
- This led to a series of strikes by the United Federation of Teachers (UFT), which was predominantly Jewish
- The controversy highlighted growing tensions between black community activists and the Jewish-led teachers union
Breakdown of the Black-Jewish Alliance (50:17)
- Jews had been key allies in the civil rights movement, providing financial and organizational support
- The Ocean Hill-Brownsville controversy damaged this alliance as some black activists used anti-Semitic rhetoric
- Many Jews felt betrayed by what they saw as growing black anti-Semitism and militancy
- This contributed to a broader retreat of Jewish support from civil rights causes
Rise of Black Power and Militant Activism (1:12:21)
- The late 1960s saw the rise of more militant black activist groups like the Black Panthers
- These groups often used confrontational tactics and rhetoric that alienated white supporters
- Some black activists began to reject integration in favor of black separatism and nationalism
- This shift contributed to growing racial polarization in many cities
Urban Riots and Violence (1:37:00)
- The 1960s saw a wave of urban riots in cities across the country, including the 1965 Watts riots in Los Angeles
- These riots highlighted deep racial tensions and frustrations in many urban black communities
- The violence and destruction contributed to growing fears among white residents and a "white flight" to the suburbs
- Political leaders struggled to respond effectively to the unrest and underlying issues
White Backlash and Retreat from Urban Issues (2:06:31)
- The events of the late 1960s contributed to a broader white backlash against civil rights initiatives
- Many white voters embraced "law and order" politics in response to urban unrest
- There was a retreat from efforts to address urban poverty and racial inequality
- This shift had long-lasting impacts on urban policy and race relations
Long-Term Impacts on American Cities (2:26:40)
- Many American cities experienced long-term declines in population, tax base, and services
- Urban areas became increasingly racially and economically segregated
- Crime rates rose dramatically in many cities during the 1970s and 1980s
- These trends contributed to ongoing cycles of urban poverty and disinvestment
Reflections on Race Relations and Urban Policy (2:45:18)
- The podcast reflects on how the events of the 1960s shaped subsequent debates about race and urban policy
- It considers the unintended consequences of some civil rights era policies and initiatives
- The episode explores how the breakdown of the civil rights coalition made it harder to address ongoing racial inequalities
- It reflects on lessons that can be drawn from this history for current debates about race and urban issues
Conclusion
The Great Migration and subsequent conflicts of the 1960s, exemplified by events like the Ocean Hill-Brownsville controversy, had profound and long-lasting impacts on American cities and race relations. The breakdown of the alliance between black activists and Jewish supporters weakened the civil rights movement and contributed to a broader white backlash. This retreat from efforts to address urban poverty and racial inequality shaped urban policy for decades to come, with ongoing consequences for American cities and race relations. The podcast argues that understanding this complex history is crucial for addressing current challenges around racial justice and urban policy.
The episode emphasizes that creating a functional multiracial democracy requires ongoing effort, compromise, and honest dialogue. It suggests that the polarization and racial tensions of the late 1960s offer cautionary lessons for today, highlighting the need to find common ground and resist rhetorical extremism. Ultimately, the podcast argues for the importance of confronting this difficult history in order to build a more just and equitable society.