The Negro in Chicago: A Study of Race Relations and a Race Riot

This volume presents a painstaking survey of African‑American life in Chicago during the early 1920s. Compiled by a city commission, it weaves together census data, detailed maps, and vivid photographs of neighborhoods, schools, churches, and workplaces. The material paints a picture of a rapidly growing community navigating housing, employment, and education in a bustling metropolis.

The narrative turns to the violent eruption of the 1919 race riot, tracing how a single drowning tragedy ignited streets filled with armed crowds, police interventions, and militia patrols. First‑hand accounts of rescued families, fire‑ravaged blocks, and the Red Cross relief effort reveal both the raw fear and the extraordinary solidarity that emerged amid chaos. Illustrations capture the stark contrast between frantic confrontations and moments of calm cooperation.

By combining hard statistics with personal stories, the study offers listeners a nuanced view of a pivotal moment in American urban history. It invites reflection on how past tensions and communal responses continue to echo in today’s discussions of race and city life.