(from Marvin Dunn, Black
Miami in the 20th Century)
I.Discrimination
A.
Economic: black business banned in white areas, including downtown/ Flagler
St.
but
whites have businesses in black areas (from 1896)
1.
Also denied entry labor unions until 1960s
2.1995:
first banking services--Republic National Bank--in overtown
B.
Education: blacks must leave county for high school;Booker T. Washington
1st in 1927
1.
Whites believed blacks suited for manual or domestic work
2.
Segregation in 1969: 1/5 public schools all black
a.
board rules black schools not good enough for whites, infuriating blacks
3.
U of Miami bans blacks 1920s-1961; 1st black instructor 1962; 1st athlete
1967
a.
Until 1960, must go to Florida A & M
C.
Criminal justice: black patrol officers 1st hired 1944; couldn’tarrest
whites until 1963
1.
Shock treatment:electric wires applied to genital areas in 1920s(outright
torture)
2.
Kier case:El Comodoro doorman shot for telling guest that white wants to
meet
D.
Public facilities
1.
No beaches; Virginia Key opened for blacks 1945
2.Banned
from Manor Park Pool (city swimming facility) until 1960 Court order
3.Could
not use public parks until 1960s
a.Crandon
Park 1958
E.
Political:Could not vote in Democratic primary,1904-1946(1946 separate
voting boxes)
F.
Consumers: couldn’t try on clothes in department stores, eat at lunch counters
1.
Also, required to sit at back of bus
G.
Residential:
1.
1920s, blacks 1/3 of pop, occup 1/10 area in 50 blocks in “Colored Town”
a.
By 1940s, no plumbing, electricity in most houses
b.
1930-1960, Harlem of the South--NW 2nd St.(Great
Black Way)
1.Whites
invade area to see famous black performers
2.
Jackie Robinson in Colored Town; rest of team in Miami Beach
H.
Bus segregation ended 1957
1.
Charles Nesbitt (black passenger) hit by money changer; suffers lacerated
face
II.Four
Major Riots in Miami
A.
1968 Republican convention;before police hold Robert Owens naked over Miami
River
B.1980:Arthur
McDuffie beaten to death for traffic violation;all white jury doesn’t convict
C.
1982: unarmed Nevel Johnson shot by Luis Alvarez in game room
1.
After riot, In 1984 all-white jury finds innocent
D.1989:William
Lozano kills Clement Lloyd,Alan Blanchard on motorcycle;later acquitted