The Eclipse of Equality for Blacks in Cleveland, 1870–1915
The radical shift in the public perception of African Americans and the increasing discrimination trends across states mark the period between 1870 and 1915. The historical description of the time, which Kusmer called the eclipse of humanity (Kusmer, 1978), is classified with the utilization of unfavorable attitudes throughout various social spheres in most northern states. Nevertheless, Cleveland and Boston remained cities for some periods that resisted the general atmosphere of racism and systemic exclusion. There were still issues with discrimination in Cleveland; however, initially, they were less severe than in other cities and states. Presumably, “the smaller size of the city’s black population made it less conspicuous than elsewhere” (Kusmer, 1978, p. 56), which helped delay harsher forms of segregation.
Nevertheless, the issue of discrimination increased year by year. Consequently, blacks appeared excluded from hotels and restaurants and were restricted from public accommodations, job opportunities, and healthcare institutions (Kusmer, 1978). Thus, regardless of the growing discrimination against blacks in Cleveland during 1890–1915, the city remained one of the less violent cities where no lynching appeared or was officially recorded.
Occupational Status Shift by 1915: Domestic and Service Work
The period between 1890 and 1915 marked the rapid development of various professional spheres in American society. Clerical and managerial positions in business companies presented a new group of possibilities for the population. However, blacks rarely got a chance to get such jobs due to pervasive racial bias.
The statistics show that in Cleveland, the percentage of male workers in white jobs 1915 increased from 1.7 to 3.7 (Kusmer, 1978). At the same time, female workers’ rates rose from zero to 1.4 percent (Kusmer, 1978). Nevertheless, the situation in the public service sphere, where blacks worked as clerks, was more promising, regardless of the potential discrimination cases.
Personal Reaction to the Occupational Decline
I think the change in the statistics was insufficient and showed how privileged white people were reluctant to hire black people for white-collar positions, scared of their prejudice to give them any power or visibility within the workplace.
Reference
Kusmer, K. L. (1978). A ghetto takes shape: Black Cleveland, 1870-1930. University of Illinois Press.