Heading North
During the 1920's more then 6 million African Americans moved to big cities in the north in the hope of finding new jobs and escaping rough segregation laws. Some were excited about the new chance for opportunity but others were not so optimistic. The massive influx of African Americans unfortunately led to increased tension and race riots.
Some of the cities in the north that were impacted most by African American migration were Detroit, Minneapolis, Milwaukee, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Boston and Albany. Below is a map that shows what cities African Americans migrated to.
Interview: What it was like to Migrate North
In her book, The Warmth of Other Suns, Isabel Wilkerson describes from a firsthand account what it was like to migrate after hearing the stories of her parents. Her novel describes the journey's of three African Americans, a farmer, a surgeon and a sharecroppers wife. Each of the three main characters in her book are illustrated by real people. During the making of her book she spoke with over 1200 people who made the excursion and even recreated the journey of one of the men who inspired her story in order to experience what it was like to migrate back then. In the interview below Isabel describes her recreated journey as well as some of the individual accounts of the journeys that other blacks took during the great migration on their way to the north.
http://www.democracynow.org/2010/9/29/the_warmth_of_other_suns_the
http://www.democracynow.org/2010/9/29/the_warmth_of_other_suns_the
How African Americans Lives Changed
Below is a letter written by an African American man who migrated to Philadelphia from the South and is sharing good news about his life there with a friend. The letter describes the benefits and changes life in the north has brought to the writer. Some of these include, higher pay, decreased racial slurs toward blacks, ability to sit wherever they want on street cars, and the ability to buy goods whenever you want instead of waiting to buy untill after the white folks have.
Philadelphia, Pa., Oct. 7, 1917.
Dear Sir: I take this method of thanking you for yours early responding and the glorious effect of the treatment. Oh. I do feel so fine. Dr. the treatment reach me almost ready to move I am now housekeeping again I like it so much better than rooming. Well Dr. with the aid of God I am making very good I make $75 per month. I am carrying enough insurance to pay me $20 per week if I am not able to be on duty. I don't have to work hard. dont have to mister every little white boy comes along I havent heard a white man call a colored a nigger you no now--since I been in the state of Pa. I can ride in the electric street and steam cars any where I get a seat. I dont care to mix with white what I mean I am not crazy about being with white folks, but if I have to pay the same fare I have learn to want the same acomidation. and if you are first in a place here shoping you dont have to wait until the white folks get thro tradeing yet amid all this I shall ever love the good old South and I am praying that God may give every well wisher a chance to be a man regardless of his color, and if my going to the front would bring about such conditions I am ready any day--well Dr. I dont want to worry you but read between lines; and maybe you can see a little sense in my weak statement the kids are in school every day I have only two and I guess that all. Dr. when you find time I would be delighted to have a word from the good old home state. Wife join me in sending love you and yours..
I am your friend and patient.
Philadelphia, Pa., Oct. 7, 1917.
Dear Sir: I take this method of thanking you for yours early responding and the glorious effect of the treatment. Oh. I do feel so fine. Dr. the treatment reach me almost ready to move I am now housekeeping again I like it so much better than rooming. Well Dr. with the aid of God I am making very good I make $75 per month. I am carrying enough insurance to pay me $20 per week if I am not able to be on duty. I don't have to work hard. dont have to mister every little white boy comes along I havent heard a white man call a colored a nigger you no now--since I been in the state of Pa. I can ride in the electric street and steam cars any where I get a seat. I dont care to mix with white what I mean I am not crazy about being with white folks, but if I have to pay the same fare I have learn to want the same acomidation. and if you are first in a place here shoping you dont have to wait until the white folks get thro tradeing yet amid all this I shall ever love the good old South and I am praying that God may give every well wisher a chance to be a man regardless of his color, and if my going to the front would bring about such conditions I am ready any day--well Dr. I dont want to worry you but read between lines; and maybe you can see a little sense in my weak statement the kids are in school every day I have only two and I guess that all. Dr. when you find time I would be delighted to have a word from the good old home state. Wife join me in sending love you and yours..
I am your friend and patient.