In Chapter Four of White Metropolis, Phillips discusses the way white elites ensured that the black population lacked political and social standing. The elites achieved this as much by spreading rumors and reinforcing stereotypes as by passing laws that legally robbed blacks of power. The “Sambo” stereotype, which depicted blacks as childish, carefree, and happy perpetuated the impression of superiority among the whites, even in the lowest classes (77;81). When the black population had access to the same goods as the white population in Dallas—even though they still shopped from separate stores—this perceived economic equality created panic among the white community (78). This was a factor in the second wave of the Ku Klux Klan in the 1920s. …show more content…
This view grew stronger as the Catholic Church began ministering directly to the African-American and Mexican populations (93). Despite this, the Klan’s distrust of the Catholics and Jews was short-lived, as most of the population viewed religion as separate from race (95). The Klan fell from power entirely not long after, following a Klansman losing the 1924 election for governor and the imprisonment of one of its national leaders (100).
Despite the opposition, the black community thrived during the early 20th century. The stereotyping enforced by the white population strengthened and unified the black community (104). Black churches, schools, newspapers, and stores, in addition to the Dallas NAACP chapter, strengthened the black culture and the unity of the black community. Nevertheless, these institutions were still significantly worse that the white community’s counterparts.
The Texas Centennial Celebration in 1936 highlighted the racial conflict rather than covering it up. This, of course, meant portraying white superiority as progressive. The black population combatted this by creating the Hall of Negro Life with a representation of their perspective. The white population found this so disturbing that they closed the exhibition and demolished it entirely