Ghost of a Chance: Episode - The Corner

Released February 3, 2025 by The Minnesota Star Tribune

Introduction: Unearthing Hidden Histories

In this compelling episode of Ghost of a Chance, host Eric Roper delves deep into the life of Harry and Clementine Robinson, a resilient Black couple who inhabited a 113-year-old Minneapolis home in the early 20th century. Roper's quest to uncover their story not only sheds light on their personal struggles and triumphs but also mirrors the broader racial dynamics of Minneapolis leading up to the pivotal events surrounding George Floyd's death in 2020.

The Great Depression and Its Toll on the Robinsons

Eric Roper begins by tracing the Robinsons' journey during the tumultuous 1930s. In a New Year's message from January 1st, 1931, Harry Robinson, the owner of the Little Dixie Sandwich Shop, optimistically wished "prosperity and happiness in 1931" (02:00). However, the shadow of the Great Depression quickly dimmed these hopes. By March of the same year, Harry was compelled to advertise the sale of his business, and by July, the couple faced foreclosure on their home (02:33).

Melissa Townsend adds, "It was the 1930s. The Depression was taking a huge toll on the whole city, but especially on the black community. We knew black residents were already at a disadvantage" (02:42).

Racial Discrimination Intensifies

The economic hardships of the Depression were exacerbated by rampant racial discrimination. A 1926 survey revealed that half of the companies in Minneapolis refused to hire Black workers, a trend that only worsened during the 1930s. By 1936, local newspapers highlighted a disturbing rise in unemployment among Black residents, stating, "Unemployment spreads, and in every section of the nation, the Negro is fast becoming a jobless race" (03:12).

A.B. Cassius, a long-time resident, testified to the limited job opportunities available:

“Department stores, Daytons, didn't hire no blacks. The glass block, which was famous throughout the world, they hired no black... If you weren't doing that, you were on relief. Direct or indirect.” (03:59)

This systemic exclusion left many Black families, including the Robinsons, scrambling to secure livelihoods amidst despair.

The Robinsons' Struggle and Resilience

Despite these challenges, by 1932, Harry secured a position as a waiter, and Clementine returned to her profession as a hairdresser (05:13). However, financial instability forced them into frequent relocations within southwest Minneapolis, often renting properties near their former home. Historian Kirsten Delegarde explains,

“It is absolutely impossible for black people... to rent a house or occupy a house outside of those zones that have been identified as black” (06:24).

Their persistence in seeking stability amidst restrictive housing norms underscores their resilience in the face of systemic oppression.

Facing Hostility: The Arthur Lee Incident

The episode recounts a harrowing incident involving Arthur Lee, a Black postman and World War I veteran, who faced violent opposition when attempting to settle in a predominantly white neighborhood. As Roper describes, crowds formed to intimidate the Lee family, leading to a tense standoff where fire trucks were used to disperse the mob (07:05). Lena Olive Smith, Minnesota's first Black female attorney and a friend of Clementine's, bravely took up Lee's defense, highlighting the community's solidarity against racial violence (07:20).

Raymond Cannon, a member of the defending group, recounted the night's chaos:

“Push in the crowd and people began falling back... So finally the crowd got good-natured and began to boo the fire on them...” (09:04)

This event exemplifies the hostile environment Black residents navigated while striving for equal rights and integration.

A New Beginning in the Old South Side

In 1934, the Robinsons found refuge in the Old South Side, a more integrated and vibrant Black middle-class neighborhood. Roper paints a vivid picture of this community:

“Blocks and blocks of modest but nice stucco and clapboard hood homes... organized around this one little commercial area that everybody called the Corner” (14:21).

The neighborhood thrived with locally owned businesses such as the Dreamland Cafe, Sam Pantel's grocery, and Chris Christiansen's shoe shop, fostering a tight-knit and supportive community.

Clementine's involvement in organizations like the Eastern Star and the Council of Negro Women, along with her professional endeavors, signified a resurgence of her spirit and influence (19:09). Notably, her interactions with prominent figures like Dr. Gideon Brown and her recognition in the community highlighted her standing and the respect she commanded.

Overcoming Redlining and Securing a Home

In 1952, at the age of 71, the Robinsons made a significant milestone by purchasing a home in the Old South Side, despite the prevalent redlining practices that deemed their neighborhood "hazardous" for Black homeowners. Roper uncovers that the Robinsons achieved this feat with assistance from a white couple, the Le Brunes, who co-signed the mortgage (24:43).

Melissa Townsend reflects,

“From all that Eric had learned, it sounded like the Old South Side neighborhood was a space for black people to escape the threats and harassment and suspicion.” (25:27)

This purchase marked not only a personal victory for the Robinsons but also a rare instance of cross-racial support in a segregated housing market.

Harry's Declining Years and Legacy

Harry Robinson's life came to a somber close in 1959. An obituary revealed that he had been battling rectal cancer since 1935, enduring prolonged illness and hospitalizations (28:26). His decision to have his ashes scattered in the Mississippi River, despite owning cemetery plots, remains a poignant mystery. Roper speculates it might have been a financially prudent choice, providing flexibility for the future (28:53).

Clementine, now widowed at 78, expressed heartfelt gratitude to her community for their support during Harry's illness and passing (31:20). Her ability to secure employment as a nurse's aide in the 1950 census reflects the gradual erosion of discriminatory practices, bolstered by Mayor Hubert Humphrey's civil rights initiatives (22:23).

Continuing the Legacy: Community Reflections

The Old South Side's legacy lives on through the testimonies of residents like Greg McMore, who recalls the neighborhood's entrepreneurial spirit and strong communal bonds (32:15). Despite achieving a semblance of stability, the community grappled with isolation and the emotional toll of segregation, a point emphasized by A.B. Cassius:

“The blacks didn't know the whites and the whites didn't know the black because there was nothing to assimilate them or bring them together” (34:57).

Historian Kirsten Delegarde and the poignant speeches of advocates like W. Gertrude Brown illuminate the enduring struggle against systemic racism and the quest for genuine integration (36:38).

Conclusion: A Reflection on Segregation and Hope for the Future

As the episode draws to a close, Roper underscores the persistent challenges of racial segregation, despite early civil rights victories. The Old South Side stands as a testament to both the resilience of its inhabitants and the unyielding barriers they faced. With upcoming episodes poised to explore the intensifying segregation of the 1960s, Ghost of a Chance poignantly captures the intertwined narratives of personal perseverance and collective struggle.

Notable Quotes:

• Eric Roper (00:12): “When I first started learning about Harry and Clementine Robinson, I found out they were part of a wave of black families who lived in this part of Minneapolis in the early 1900s. And I knew they were gone by 1940.”

• A.B. Cassius (03:59): “If you weren't doing that, you were on relief. Direct or indirect.”

• Melissa Townsend (02:42): “It was the 1930s. The Depression was taking a huge toll on the whole city, but especially on the black community.”

• Greg McMore (35:07): “We probably have our own language and our own way of behaving and acting, but once we walk outside, we're walking into another world.”

• W. Gertrude Brown (37:40): “Have you ever stopped to think that every real money making avenue is closed to him... the Negro hasn't a ghost of a chance.”

Reflections and Insights

This episode meticulously reconstructs the Robinsons' narrative within the broader context of Minneapolis's racial history. Through archival research, personal testimonies, and expert interviews, Roper not only honors Harry and Clementine Robinson's legacy but also provides a lens to examine the enduring impacts of systemic racism. The Old South Side emerges as both a sanctuary and a symbol of the complex dynamics that shaped Black life in Minneapolis. As listeners follow the Robinsons' journey, they gain a nuanced understanding of resilience, community solidarity, and the relentless pursuit of equality.

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