Chicago Race Riots Essay

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The Chicago Race Riots of 1919 was a major conflict that began in Chicago Illinois because of racial tension between black and whites because of cultural differences. The Chicago race riots is also referred to as the “Red Summer” because of all the bloodshed that took place the summer after World war 1. The race riots began on July 27th, 1919 and ended August 3rd, 1919. On the first day of the riots thirty eight people died, 23 were black, 15 were white and 537 people. The race riots are a part of Chicago’s history that had a major affect on racial, political and social problems. The riots began after the death of Eugene Williams. Eugene Williams was a young black male who drowned due to swimming at an all white beach and rocks being thrown …show more content…

For example: In Chicago’s North Lawndale neighborhood, there is soon to be the development of a Back Lot with the hopes to attract tourist and create revenue. This is also in effort to utilize old factories and use them as film and production studios. Developments such as the “Eco Square” are also considering moving into Douglas park, another one of Chicago’s Westside communities. The “Eco Square” is a 419,000 housing development that is being built on the idea of green sufficiency and to house 150 residences over 5 acres of land. There is also a proposal that either the Hyde Park / Woodlawn area or Chicago’s UIC Flames campus might receive the presidential library. The new development in progression today shows the idea of how marketable land around the city is and how diverse neighborhoods cause for better funding and better relationships between people of different ethnicities and cultures.
Even though the Chicago Race Riots was a negative event, over the years its effects became positive. As a result of all the looting and burning down businesses, it gave the developers a chance to integrate new business ideas and housing plans to help advance the community in the future. This is one of the major historical events used today as a lesson taught to students to eliminate