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Editor's Note, "Atlanta's Shame" by Carrie Williams Clifford
12023-05-24T11:20:58-04:00Amardeep Singhc185e79df2fca428277052b90841c4aba30044e12131plain2023-05-24T11:20:58-04:00Amardeep Singhc185e79df2fca428277052b90841c4aba30044e1Atlanta was subjected to three days of race riots in September 1906, triggered by reports in the mainstream (white-majority) newspapers) of assaults by blacks on white women. This led to the formation of white mobs, which for two night attacked black Atlantans and destroyed black-owned properties, with a slow and inadequate police response. On the third day, a group of armed black men organized at Brownsville to plan retaliation, but were arrested and their weapons confiscated after a brief shootout. More background here: https://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/articles/history-archaeology/atlanta-race-riot-1906
In queenly state she sits at the gateway of the South — And lifts with conscious pride her stately head : Fair Atlanta feels her worth, and her children are elate, As thro' her streets they go with happy tread.
She has sons of many kinds, she has sons of many hues, And she says she cares for all, but this we know, Tho' she exacts of each alike service, revenue, respect, The blacks get of her favor but scant show!
Yet the harder do they strive her good will and grace to win. Keeping step with progress — forward without pause! Gaining knowledge, getting wealth, doing all things duly meet. Hoping thus to gain Atlanta's prized applause.
But alas! 'tis all in vain, for she hates with bitter hate These poor blacks who aye remind her of her shames; Of her greed for wealth and power, of her base consuming lust: Noble striving but the more her wrath inflames.
Then to hide from honest eyes her blood-guiltiness and sin, She most cunningly contrives a wicked plot — Subtly spoken a base word, then this cry against the blacks Cleaves the night ! "Revenge! lynch, slaughter and spare not!"
Three awful nights she reveled in a carnival of crime, Three days or e'er the tension was relieved; When her thirst for blood was sated, the whole nation stood aghast. Her cry of "Rape," no more the world deceived!
Lamentations, bitter sobs, heart-wrung groans the soft winds bore Thro' the streets where lay the victims of her rage; Helpless age and guiltless youth, innocence and trusting truth — It had taken all, her fury to assuage.
Dread Atlanta nevermore can the crimson stain erase, Nor the foul blot wipe from off fair history's scroll ; This fell deed shall e'er arise, ghost-like from the mists of time To confront and terrify her guilty soul!