A white supremacist coup in Wilmington, North Carolina, in 1898, overthrew the city’s multi-racial government, leaving a lasting legacy of racial terror and disenfranchisement.
The event, which occurred on November 10, 1898, was marked by violence and intimidation, resulting in the deaths of numerous African Americans and the forced removal of Black officials from power. The coup was led by a group of white supremacists who sought to regain control of the city’s government and suppress the rights of African Americans. The city of Wilmington had a population of around 20,000 people at the time, with a significant African American community.
Wilmington Coup Legacy
The aftermath of the coup saw the implementation of voting restrictions, including a grandfather clause that effectively disenfranchised African Americans. This clause exempted individuals whose ancestors could vote before 1867, essentially allowing all white men to vote while barring most African Americans. The legacy of the Wilmington coup can still be seen today, with the city’s Black population declining moderately in the years following the event, and the number of Black-owned businesses also decreasing.
Author Lauren Collins, in her book “They Stole a City,” examines the impact of the coup on the families who lived through it, including both white and Black families. Collins focuses on four Wilmington families, the Bellamy/MacRaes, the Moores, the Howes, and the Halseys, to understand the intergenerational transmission of racial terror and its effects on their lives. The book provides a comprehensive account of the event and its aftermath, shedding light on the experiences of those who lived through it.
Racial Violence and Its Aftermath
The Wilmington coup is a stark reminder of the violent and suppressed history of racial violence in the United States. The event has been largely hidden from public awareness, but recent years have seen an increase in interest in the subject, particularly after the murder of George Floyd. The North Carolina legislature’s efforts to disenfranchise Black voters through gerrymandering and voter identification laws are a continuation of the legacy of the grandfather clause, highlighting the ongoing struggle for racial equality in the United States.
The story of the Wilmington coup serves as a powerful reminder of the need to confront and understand the country’s complex and often painful history, and to work towards a more just and equitable society. As the United States continues to grapple with issues of racial inequality and social justice, the legacy of the Wilmington coup remains a significant and timely reminder of the importance of protecting voting rights and promoting racial equality.
