via Flickr
In 1912, Black people believed in promises of racial progress made by Woodrow Wilson ahead of his presidential election.
But once installed, he changed his mind about equality altogether.
The House declared intermarriage a felony, the Post Master separated white clerks from Black, and even the Treasury and Navy were resegregated on his watch.
Furious with Wilson for encouraging resegregation, our people cried out for accountability.
Leaders like W.E.B. Du Bois, Marcus Garvey, and William Monroe Trotter called out his AUDACITY to place Black federal workers in literal cages built around their work stations to “separate” those who, from a practical standpoint, could not work apart from their white colleagues.
They made sure he and other politicians knew that when it came to our rights and wellbeing, there would be no playing nice!
Even today, Wilson’s legacy falls under great scrutiny.
In 2015, students at Princeton University demanded the school remove Wilson’s name from their school of public and international affairs as amends for his racist policymaking.
Politicians can pander for Black votes in 2020 all they want, but we must stay on top of betrayals like this. Because historical turncoat moments like Wilson’s remind us to scrutinize elected officials’ records leading up to taking AND while in office.
Fulfill your civic duty to our communities! Otherwise, we’ll find someone else.