WHITE RACISM ON THE WESTERN URBAN FRONTIER : Dynamics of Race and Class in Dubuque, Iowa (1800 - 2000) - Softcover

Mohammad Chaichian

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1592213766 ISBN 13: 9781592213764

Publisher: AFRICA WORLD PRESS, 2006

Synopsis

Examines almost 200 years of race and ethnic relations and white-on-black racism in Dubuque, Iowa's oldest industrial city, in connection with political and economic developments at the local, state and international levels. Using a critical political economy approach and based on historical data, the author presents compelling evidence that racist sentiments and discriminatory practice towards blacks tends to escalate during periods of economic downturn, even in cities with little or no minority population.

About this title

Synopsis

This work examines 200 years of white-on-black racism in Dubuque, Iowa. This is a singular contribution to understanding of the role of racism in metropolitan areas with small minority populations. This is an examination of 200 years of race and ethnic relations and white-on-black racism in Dubuque, Iowa's oldest industrial city, in connection with political and economic developments at the local, state and national levels. Dubuque made national headlines when there was a sudden eruption of hate crimes during the 1989-1991 period - subsequently, a group of concerned citizens devised a five-year racial diversity plan to attract 100 "families of colour" to Dubuque, but failed to achieve their objective due to a lack of community support. Using a critical political economy approach and based on historical data, Chiachian presents compelling evidence that racist sentiments and discriminatory practice towards blacks tend to escalate during periods of economic downturn, even in cities with little or no minority population.

Main topics discussed include the evolution of "race" as a socially created concept, a historical analysis of two centuries of African-American's presence in Iowa and Dubuque amidst a persisting white-on-black racism; the presence of the Ku Klux Klan in Dubuque; the relationship between the organised labour and black workers in Iowa; and Dubuque resident's determination to envision plans to fight back and promote racial diversity.

Edition details

• Publisher: AFRICA WORLD PRESS
• Publication date: 2006
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1592213766
• ISBN 13: 9781592213764
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 262