The Great Migration was a significant part of American history according to the National Archives. It marks a mass exodus of around six million Black Americans from the Southern regions to the Northern, Midwestern, and Western states in search for a better life, economic growth, and educational opportunities. This mass movement spanned from the 1910s up to the 1970s, largely fueled by the desire to evade racial violence and the oppressive chains of the Jim Crow laws.
With an accuracy rate of 90%, I could often astonish my Black students by identifying which state their ancestors hailed from – unless, of course, those ancestors were from the Caribbean or were second or third generation African immigrants. For example, those stationed in Chicago were most likely from Mississippi. Residents of Ohio and Michigan had roots traced back to Georgia. Connecticut folks could link their lineage to North Carolina, while the Californians had ancestors from Arkansas or Louisiana.
The driving factors behind the Great Migration cannot be considered without acknowledging the presence of one of the most notorious acts of domestic terrorism in America – the harassment and lynching of Black Americans by the Ku Klux Klan. There’s a clear thread weaving these two historical episodes together. But the question arises – is history setting itself up to be repeated? Is the alignment of these ‘stars’ plausible once again?
In terms of political patterns, Black people have demonstrated quite clearly that placing all their votes in the hands of one party may not have been the most beneficial strategy over time. After the abolition of slavery during the 19th Century, the phenomenon of bloc voting was witnessed; Black voters chose Republican candidates en masse. The reason being, Republicans had played a pivotal role in ending slavery – their hands had wielded the hammer that shattered those heavy chains. President Abraham Lincoln and General Ulysses Grant were both Republicans, with Grant serving as the protagonist who led the charge to end the Civil War officially.
Grant, besides being a war hero and the first Republican to serve two terms as president, oversaw the progress of the Reconstruction process by deploying military troops. Completely disregarding the Democratic party, Blacks chose Republicans as their representatives, taking advantage of the numerical edge they held in many southern states due to slaves outnumbering slave owners and their families.
The legendary educator and author, Booker T. Washington, outlined this in his renowned book, ‘Up from Slavery’. His writings reflect how former slaves knew which candidates to favor simply by following the choices of white people discussed in the stores. They would vote for anyone whom the white folks opposed – a simple but effective strategy.
However, this led to a terrifying period of unrest. Over 2,000 Black lives were snuffed out by the Ku Klux Klan during the brief era of Reconstruction. By the 1950s, the number increased to nearly 6,500. The Klan used terrorism, intimidation, and the creation of restrictive Jim Crow laws to trample Black people’s right to vote, segregate them, and treat them essentially as second-class citizens, especially in the South.
Funneling all the support for Republicans in the 19th century resulted in three elections where Black people were virtually unanimous in their support. Fast forward to current times, we observe a similar pattern – albeit in favor of the Democratic candidates. Black women gave a staggering 98% support to Barack Obama in two elections, and to the Biden-Harris ticket once. Even Hillary Clinton managed to achieve more than 90% support from Black women.
From the era of the Civil War up to the election contest between Rutherford B. Hayes and Samuel J. Tilden in 1876, Republicans enjoyed nearly unanimous support from Black voters. Unsurprisingly, this did not sit well with white folks. Presently, Democrats are the benefactors of this unwavering support, a striking inversion of the historical setting.
The controversial Compromise of 1877 saw Democrats figuratively pushing their presidential candidate under the bus. Democratic candidate Tilden was only an electoral college vote away from victory, but was denied the presidency as Democrats formed an alliance with Republicans to elect Hayes. The pledge was made by Hayes to order troops out of the South – a significant act marking the end of Reconstruction.
This agreement sparked pronounced changes. It enabled former slave owners to return to their old habits of treating Black people, minus the slave labor of course. New voting laws were enforced to limit Black people’s voting rights, and Black Americans faced a resurgence of terror from the KKK. Recent times have seen Democrats going straight to Black populations to secure their emphatic support.
So, we are left with intriguing questions: Given the near unanimous support for Democrats, could there be another Great Migration on the horizon? Will racist organizations find renewed energy? Pondering these questions, no definitive answers can be gleaned. As we navigate the future, all we can hope for is the best possible outcome for America.
Yet, it’s important to consider that using different strategies could end up rendering the same results. It’s been years since the majority (i.e., white population) vote decided the president of the United States. While white people are divided in their vote between the two main party candidates, Black people are showing an obvious preference, consolidating their support behind Democratic candidates.
Therefore, it is crucial for Black Americans to think internal reflection and understanding the nuances of these political dynamics. Casting a unanimous vote for a single party can seem comforting and straightforward but may not always be the most advantageous choice. The Democratic candidates may be enjoying significant support now, but it serves as a reminder of how the power dynamics played out in the past. Ultimately, it would be insightful to ponder whether history will be repeated or lesson will be learned from it.