Summary of "The Lasting Impact of The Great Migration"
All Of It Podcast, Hosted by WNYC

Introduction

In the episode titled "The Lasting Impact of The Great Migration," Tiffany Hansen, stepping in for Alison Stewart, delves into the profound effects of one of the most significant demographic shifts in American history—the Great Migration. This migration, spanning from approximately 1910 to 1970, saw an estimated six million African Americans relocate from the Southern United States to Northern and Western cities in search of better opportunities and an escape from systemic oppression. The discussion is framed around a new PBS documentary series, "Great Migrations: People on the Move," hosted by Henry Louis Gates, Jr., and features insights from the documentary's co-directors, Julia Marchese and Nailah Ife Sims.

Understanding the Great Migration

Tiffany Hansen introduces the Great Migration as a transformative period that not only altered the demographic landscape of America but also reshaped the cultural and political identities of African American communities. Julia Marchese emphasizes that the migration was more than just a physical relocation; it was an "elevation of consciousness" that fostered a new black identity in urban centers like Harlem. She states:

"There were these black enclaves and cities all over the north and west that sort of gave people a sense of community... people really did create this new identity that was born out of northern migration."
[02:44]

Nailah Ife Sims adds that movement served as a "freedom tool" for African Americans, enabling self-determination and political empowerment. She references Amiri Baraka's perspective on the migration as a "reinterpretation by the Negro of his role in this country."

"By the end of the Great Migration, black people could be found in almost every geographical area of America... Black people became even more armed politically through government and activism by the end of that period."
[02:59]

First Wave vs. Second Wave

The Great Migration is dissected into two primary waves. Julia Marchese highlights that the first wave, comprising approximately 1.5 million people, involved individuals with the means to migrate, often motivated by the promise of economic opportunities and the establishment of thriving communities. However, this wave also included those escaping severe racial violence and oppression.

"It was a mixture of motivations... some people were escaping danger."
[04:43]

Nailah Ife Sims discusses the second wave, which occurred from the 1940s to the late 1960s, involving around 4.5 million people. This phase was characterized by larger numbers and a broader geographic spread, including cities like San Francisco, Seattle, and Oakland.

"During the second wave... people are also getting different kinds of jobs. And... the legacies of this larger movement start to solidify in a more national way."
[06:56]

The Role of the Chicago Defender

A significant portion of the migration narrative centers around the Chicago Defender, a pivotal black newspaper founded in 1905 by Robert Abbott. Initially an advocate for building Southern communities, the Defender shifted its stance, promoting Northern migration as a means to undermine the economic foundations of Southern white oligarchs and combat Jim Crow laws.

Julia Marchese explains:

"Robert Abbott... saw migration as a tool against Jim Crow. He began to promote it in the pages saying, you know, come to Chicago."
[12:20]

The newspaper's portrayal of Chicago as a "utopia" attracted millions, despite the harsh realities migrants faced upon arrival, such as extreme cold, limited housing, and cramped living conditions.

"But at least in those early years... there was such a thriving community in neighborhoods like Bronzeville that people really were able to thrive there..."
[13:14]

Challenges Faced by Migrants

Migrants encountered numerous obstacles, including housing discrimination, lack of employment opportunities, and social isolation. Julia Marchese shares personal accounts from descendants who experienced harassment and obstacles upon migrating:

"When they left on the train... there were local white citizens... some harassment."
[17:58]

Nailah Ife Sims draws parallels between historical treatment of African American migrants and modern-day refugee experiences, highlighting systemic inequalities and exploitation.

"Black people were treated like refugees in their own country."
[19:42]

Personal Stories and Community Support

The documentary features personal narratives that underscore the diversity of migration experiences. Julia Marchese notes that while many sought improved economic prospects, others were fleeing violent repression.

"One of the families... they were forced to leave... members of their family were lynched."
[04:47]

Community institutions, such as churches and social organizations like the Chicago Urban League, played a crucial role in helping migrants settle and integrate into Northern societies.

"Churches... helped people get settled."
[14:53]

Reverse Migration and Its Implications

The conversation shifts to the contemporary phenomenon of reverse migration, where African Americans are moving back to the South. Nailah Ife Sims describes this as a "reclamation of the South," driven by disenchantment with Northern urban centers and inspired by a desire for political empowerment.

"Black people continue to move south and reclaim the south and build up their communities that they will gain more political power."
[26:56]

Julia Marchese adds that urban challenges like deindustrialization and housing discrimination have prompted some to question the long-term benefits of Northern migration.

"Charles Blow actually makes the argument that if black people continue to move south and reclaim the south and build up their communities that they will gain more political power."
[26:56]

Cultural and Political Legacy

The Great Migration's legacy is evident in the cultural and political advancements of African American communities. Julia Marchese highlights the emergence of vibrant cultural hubs like Harlem and Bronzeville, which became centers for arts, music, and political activism. The migration also paved the way for increased political representation, exemplified by the election of the first black congressman from Chicago since Reconstruction.

"Because they were concentrated in these black neighborhoods... they were able to elect a black congressman."
[21:34]

Conclusion

The episode concludes by emphasizing the enduring impact of the Great Migration on American society. As African American communities continue to evolve and migrate, both northward and back southward, the interplay of cultural expression, political activism, and economic empowerment remains central to their identity and influence. The documentary series promises to further explore these themes in subsequent episodes, shedding light on the multifaceted experiences of those who embarked on this monumental journey.

"Charles Blow... believes that black people today should still continue this reverse migration in order to concentrate political power."
[26:56]

Notable Quotes

• Julia Marchese on Black Identity Formation:
  "There were these black enclaves and cities all over the north and west that sort of gave people a sense of community... people really did create this new identity that was born out of northern migration."
  [02:44]

• Nailah Ife Sims on Migration as a Freedom Tool:
  "Movement is and has been a freedom tool to the ongoing story of black America... Black people became even more armed politically through government and activism by the end of that period."
  [02:59]

• Julia Marchese on the Chicago Defender's Role:
  "Robert Abbott... saw migration as a tool against Jim Crow. He began to promote it in the pages saying, you know, come to Chicago."
  [12:20]

• Nailah Ife Sims on Reverse Migration:
  "Black people continue to move south and reclaim the south and build up their communities that they will gain more political power."
  [26:56]

This comprehensive exploration of the Great Migration underscores its pivotal role in shaping African American communities and, by extension, American culture and politics. Through personal stories, historical analysis, and expert insights, the episode provides a nuanced understanding of this transformative period and its lasting repercussions.