Scene on Radio S6 E3: A Day of Blood
21 snips
Jan 24, 2024 This podcast explores the events of the 1898 Wilmington massacre, where armed white supremacists targeted a mixed-race neighborhood. It delves into the aftermath of the violence, including the forced resignation of officials and the challenges faced by the black community. It also highlights the efforts of a 94-year-old woman to raise awareness about the massacre and the role of investigative journalist Harry Hayden.
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Organized Violence, Not A Spontaneous Riot
- White supremacist violence in Wilmington was organized, not spontaneous, culminating in November 10, 1898.
- Evidence shows bullets largely flowed from organized white militias into Black neighborhoods, not the reverse.
Manley’s Narrow Escape
- Alexander Manley escaped Wilmington the night before his newspaper was burned with help from a German grocer who gave him a password.
- Mob members later armed the grocer and urged him to shoot Manley as he passed, illustrating the threat Manley faced.
Local Elites Led The Armed Squads
- Prominent local figures like William Rand Keenan Sr. led armed squads including a Colt machine gun during the massacre.
- Contemporary white press celebrated these men, framing them as heroes while Black victims were erased.