August 25th 2024.
In a significant move, President Joe Biden has declared the site of the 1908 Springfield Race Riots a national monument. This decision serves as a powerful reminder of the riots and the impact it had on those affected. On August 16th, CNN reported that Biden signed a proclamation to officially recognize the site's new federal status. This designation acknowledges the crucial role it plays in Black history, especially in light of the ongoing efforts to acknowledge the more difficult chapters of America's past.
During the ceremony at the Oval Office, Biden spoke about the significance of this moment, which also happened to coincide with the 116th anniversary of the riots. He emphasized the importance of not forgetting about this tragic event, stating, "Over 100 years ago this week, a mob not far from Lincoln's home unleashed a race riot in Springfield that literally shocked the conscience of the nation. A lot of people forgot about it... We can't let these things fade into obscurity."
The Springfield Race Riots took place from August 14th to 16th in 1908, when a white mob attacked and destroyed the homes and businesses of Black residents in Springfield, Illinois. The riots were sparked by a false accusation made by a white woman claiming she was raped by a Black man. In reality, she later admitted to lying about the assault. Tragically, the riots resulted in the lynching of two Black men.
The aftermath of the riots had a devastating impact on the Black community in Springfield, with their homes and businesses destroyed. But it also served as a catalyst for change. The creation of the NAACP, a prominent organization fighting for racial justice, can be traced back to this horrific event. Derrick Johnson, the current president of the NAACP, attended the ceremony and spoke about the significance of this moment. He stated, "It was a catalyst, not only for the creation of the NAACP... but the catalyst to recognize that the political tool of race and ethnic difference and othering is more harmful to our democracy than it should be."
The Vision 1908 project, which aims to honor and remember those impacted by the riots, gained momentum after the discovery of homes affected by the riots in 2014. Teresa Haley, a former president of the NAACP's Springfield chapter, believes that the site's designation as a national monument will bring a sense of healing to the community. "The people in Springfield can truly begin to heal because it's been a deep, dark secret that no one wanted to talk about except for those of us in the Black community who were directly impacted by the 1908 riots," she expressed. "It's going to allow people to say, 'Oh my God, this happened right here in Springfield on the ground in which I'm standing.' This is Springfield's history, it's Illinois history, and it's American history."
Sadly, the city continues to grapple with racial tensions, as seen in the recent killing of Sonya Massey by a white police officer in July. As the investigation into her death continues, Haley plans to honor the history of the riots with a monument in the area. This monumental declaration by President Biden serves as a powerful reminder of the ongoing fight for racial justice, not just in Springfield, but across the country.
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