As the 1920’s proceeded to create a sphere of decadence around the lives
of American’s, it so too blotted out the struggle seen by the minorities, and
working class in America, specifically that of African American’s. The struggle
for equality was for a long time, an issue in the government of the United
States, but many felt that following the banning of slavery, and ratification
of the 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments that
the U.S would move into a new era. This thought of equality was only crushed
when blacks were found to be constantly segregated, and mistreated. The idea of
the 1920’s bringing America into the new era certainly left off the idea of
equality for all. Even though women won the right to vote in the 1920’s they
certainly did not become equals to men, both in the work force, and in the
home. Consistent immigration also led to the discrimination of other ethnic
groups such as the Italians, and Germans, who the U.S. resented following the
end of the war. Throughout the 1920’s blacks were continually abused, refused
rights, and forced into unfair work.
Many people, specifically the rich felt that they should not have to
work. This is seen in Gatsby when Tom talks to Daisy and Nick about how the
Nordic race should rule over all. This ideal that their money would stay with
them even without working for it led to the abuse of many minorities,
specifically the blacks who worked for the rich. In a census in 1900 it was
found that 35% of black men, and 45% of black women who didn’t work in farm
labor worked for whites who made over triple their salary. This statistic is
not shocking. Despite the equality found in writing blacks were still given
very few opportunities by whites, this included a denial of education to
children, as well as a lack of pay. These things kept blacks beneath the
whites, for several years. As the blacks began to fight for total equality, the
rise of terrorist groups like the KKK arose. Groups like these refused to
recognize blacks as people, very much less than as equals. This denial was seen
through things like Jim Crow laws in the south.
As groups like the KKK refused to show blacks their rights, there was a
major increase in violence, both towards blacks and from them. Things like
unfair representation and other things began to outbreak in the U.S. In the
eruption of Tulsa, “It cost the death of fifty white men; of between 150 and
200 colored men, women, and children; the destruction of $1,500,000 worth of
property; the looting of many homes, and the everlasting damage to the
reputation of the city of Tulsa.” (The Eruption of Tulsa Walter White) This
outbreak was due to a claim by a young white woman that she was abused in a
public hotel by a black man. Neither the women, nor the man were ever
questioned, nor was there ever a public hearing or court appeal. This simple
American idea of finding the truth and justice through a court of law was
simply overlooked due to the color of one young man’s skin.
As blacks looked to find prosperity and continue to move forward in the
1920’s they often took jobs that gave unfair pay, and very little rights. Things
such as being a butler, where they were on the job 24/7 without any breaks. It
was found in a study that black butlers were often paid half the salary made by
white butlers, and worked twice as hard. This form of inequality was most
nearly the saddest and worst form of inequality in the 1920’s. As the country moved
into an era of extreme wealth the black community was hoping to find some sort
of escape from the poverty that had come to live with, and this form of escape
was somewhat seen in the city of Harlem. But as more and more blacks began to
search for employment, they were often met with unequal pay and harsh
treatment. In the south these treatments were considered legal due to things
like Jim Crow laws.
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