As summer envelops Chicago once more, we are reminded of a dark chapter from 106 years ago—the Chicago Race Riot of 1919.
The violent eruption lasted a week, resulting in the tragic deaths of 38 individuals and injuring over 500 more.
Entire communities were destabilized, leaving lasting scars that continue to shape the city’s racial dynamics today.
Through this reflection, The Chicago Defender, a prominent Black publication, stands as a testament to the power of journalism during turbulent times.
In its role as a voice for Black Chicago, the Defender captured the truth amidst the chaos, shedding light on the rampant racial turbulence.
Dr. Peter Cole, a historian and co-director of the Chicago Race Riot of 1919 Commemoration Project (CRR19), elucidates the importance of remembering this historic event and its ongoing resonance in contemporary society.
Cole emphasizes the significance of understanding the past, stating, “We are who we are because of who we were.”
He notes that in the absence of modern media, newspapers were the primary source of information, making the Defender an essential conduit for truth, advocacy, and survival in the Black community.
Unlike white newspapers of the time that often misrepresented the violence, placing blame on Black residents, the Defender named the victims and challenged false narratives.
Cole highlights the Defender’s vital role: “The name wasn’t random. It was there to defend the race.
The CRR19 project aims to ensure that the victims of the 1919 riot are honored and remembered, rather than allowing this significant history to be forgotten.
As part of this initiative, memorial sidewalk markers honoring the 38 victims—23 Black and 15 white—are being placed at the sites where they lost their lives.
The project has taken on a new meaning, transforming the previously dubbed ‘vortex of violence’ into a ‘vortex of healing’ at the intersection of 35th and State, near the long-standing home of the Defender.
These artistic markers, crafted by youth artists from Firebird Community Arts, are intended to foster healing and reflection, emphasizing that this public art is not just a memorial but a means to move forward as a city.
Each marker displays the victim’s name and date of death, with additional installations planned for completion by the end of 2025.
Despite the passage of more than a century, the impact of the riot remains evident throughout modern-day Chicago, manifesting in persistent segregation, economic disparities, and entrenched mistrust between communities.
Cole aptly points out that the violence of 1919 was rooted in the enforcement of racial boundaries, which were subsequently solidified through legal instruments like restrictive covenants.
Beyond memorializing the victims, the CRR19 project endeavors to educate the public through tours, school programs, and an online archive that details the biographies of the victims.
Though the primary aim is remembrance, Cole believes that acknowledging past injustices is essential for healing.
“We can’t heal until we acknowledge the past,” he asserts, urging the community to confront the painful legacy.
Cole describes their work as a form of grassroots reparations—recognizing the victims and inviting Chicagoans to engage in a collective dialogue about the way forward.
A notable focus of the project is Eugene Williams, a 17-year-old whose tragic death while swimming in a segregated area of Lake Michigan ignited the riots.
Williams’ story serves as a reminder of the human lives affected by such violence, and Cole envisions creating a Eugene Williams Plaza to honor his legacy at the site of his death.
“We don’t just want people to remember Eugene as a victim,” Cole emphasizes.
“We want to honor who he was and what his story can teach us today.
This mission requires the support of the community, as the CRR19 project relies on city grants and volunteer efforts.
Cole, along with public health advocate Franklin Cosey-Gay, youth advocate Saida Taylor, and a network of artists and educators, is calling for more hands on deck.
“If you’re passionate about justice, history, or healing, we need you,” urges Cole.
For those interested in contributing or learning more about the CRR19 initiative, further details can be found online at www.chicagoraceriot.org.
As we honor the 120-year legacy of The Chicago Defender, it remains our commitment to bring forth the stories that matter, reminding us of our shared history and the necessity of confronting it with honesty.
Watch the full interview with Dr. Peter Cole on YouTube for deeper insights into this essential historical narrative.
image source from：https://chicagodefender.com/commemorating-the-1919-chicago-race-riot-how-public-art-and-the-chicago-defender-keep-the-story-alive/
