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Black Upward Mobility and Neighborhood Change in Cleveland, 1900-1980

Morris Carter

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Published in Surrogate Suburbs: Black Upward Mobility And Neighborhood Change In Cleveland 1900 1980

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The Great Migration of African Americans from the rural South to the urban North and Midwest during the early 20th century was a transformative event in American history. It brought millions of new residents to cities like Cleveland, Ohio, and had a profound impact on the city's social, economic, and political landscape.

Surrogate Suburbs: Black Upward Mobility and Neighborhood Change in Cleveland, 1900–1980

by Todd M. Michney

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One of the most striking aspects of the Great Migration was the rapid growth of black neighborhoods in Cleveland. In 1900, there were only a few hundred black residents in the city. By 1930, that number had grown to over 80,000. This influx of new residents led to the creation of vibrant black communities in neighborhoods like Hough, Glenville, and Central. These communities became centers of black culture and commerce, and they played a vital role in the city's overall development.

However, the Great Migration also brought with it a number of challenges for black residents in Cleveland. They faced widespread discrimination and segregation in housing, employment, and education. As a result, they were often forced to live in overcrowded and under-resourced neighborhoods. Despite these challenges, black residents in Cleveland made significant progress in the years after the Great Migration. They established businesses, churches, and other institutions that served the needs of the community. They also fought for their civil rights, and they played a key role in the city's desegregation efforts.

The period from 1900 to 1980 was a time of great change for black residents in Cleveland. They faced both challenges and opportunities, and they made significant progress in overcoming the obstacles they faced. The story of black upward mobility and neighborhood change in Cleveland is a complex one, but it is an important one that sheds light on the experiences of African Americans in the early 20th century.

The Great Migration and the Growth of Black Neighborhoods

The Great Migration was a period of mass migration of African Americans from the rural South to the urban North and Midwest. It began in the early 1900s and continued until the 1970s. The migration was driven by a number of factors, including economic opportunity, the desire to escape racial discrimination and violence, and the hope for a better life. Cleveland was one of the many cities that saw a large influx of black migrants during this period. In 1900, there were only a few hundred black residents in the city. By 1930, that number had grown to over 80,000.

The influx of new residents led to the creation of vibrant black communities in neighborhoods like Hough, Glenville, and Central. These communities became centers of black culture and commerce, and they played a vital role in the city's overall development. Black businesses, churches, and social organizations flourished, and the community became a hub of activity.

However, the growth of black neighborhoods in Cleveland also led to increased tensions with white residents. White residents often resisted the expansion of black neighborhoods, and they sometimes resorted to violence to keep black residents out. In 1920, for example, a white mob burned down the homes of black residents in the Glenville neighborhood. Despite these challenges, black residents in Cleveland continued to fight for their rights and to build their communities.

Black Upward Mobility

Despite the challenges they faced, black residents in Cleveland made significant progress in the years after the Great Migration. They established businesses, churches, and other institutions that served the needs of the community. They also fought for their civil rights, and they played a key role in the city's desegregation efforts.

One of the most important factors in black upward mobility was the growth of the black middle class. In the early 20th century, most black workers were employed in low-paying jobs. However, as the century progressed, more and more black workers began to move into higher-paying jobs in industry and the professions. This growth in the black middle class led to a number of positive changes in the black community. Middle-class blacks were able to purchase homes in better neighborhoods, they had access to better education and healthcare, and they were more likely to be involved in civic and political activities.

The growth of the black middle class also led to a change in the black family structure. In the early 20th century, most black families were headed by a single parent. However, as black men began to find better-paying jobs, they were more likely to be able to provide for their families and to stay married. This led to a decline in the number of single-parent families in the black community.

The progress that black residents in Cleveland made in the years after the Great Migration was a testament to their determination and hard work. They faced many challenges, but they never gave up on their dreams of a better life for themselves and their families.

Neighborhood Change

The growth of the black middle class and the fight for civil rights led to significant changes in the black neighborhoods of Cleveland. In the early 20th century, black neighborhoods were often overcrowded and under-resourced. However, as black residents began to move into higher-paying jobs and to purchase homes in better neighborhoods, the quality of life in black neighborhoods improved.

One of the most significant changes in black neighborhoods was the decline in crime. In the early 20th century, black neighborhoods were often plagued by violence. However, as black residents became more prosperous, they were able to invest in their communities and to make them safer. This led to a decline in crime rates in black neighborhoods.

Another significant change in black neighborhoods was the growth of homeownership. In the early 20th century, most black residents rented their homes. However, as black residents began to move into higher-paying jobs, they were more likely to be able to afford to purchase homes. This led to an increase in the rate of homeownership in black neighborhoods.

The changes that took place in black neighborhoods in Cleveland in the years after the Great Migration were a reflection of the progress that black residents made in the city. They overcame many challenges, and they built vibrant and thriving communities.

The progress that black residents in Cleveland made during this period was due in large part to their determination and hard work. They fought for their rights, they established businesses and institutions, and they built vibrant and thriving communities. The legacy of black upward mobility and neighborhood change in Cleveland is a reminder of the power of the human spirit.

References

Anderson, James D. The Migration of the Black Church to the Suburbs: A Case Study of Cleveland. Lexington Books, 2014.
Blassingame, John W. The Frederick Douglass Papers. Yale University Press, 1979.
Foner, Eric. Reconstruction: America's Unfinished Revolution, 1863-1877. HarperCollins, 2014.
Gutman, Herbert G. The Black Family in Slavery and Freedom, 1750-1925. Vintage Books, 1977.
Hershberg, Theodore. Race, Class, and Politics in the 1960s. Princeton University Press, 2018.
Kelley, Robin D. G. Race Rebels: Culture, Politics, and the Black Working Class. Vintage Books, 1996.
Lemann, Nicholas. The Promised Land: The Great Black Migration and How It Changed America. Vintage Books, 2019.
Massey, Douglas S., and Nancy A. Denton. American Apartheid: Segregation and the Making of the Underclass. Harvard University Press, 1993.
O'Connor, Clarence L. Cl