Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

mahatmakanejeeves

(60,749 posts)
Mon Jun 17, 2024, 08:22 AM Jun 2024

On June 15, 1943, a race riot broke out in Beaumont, Texas.

80 years ago today.

Growing up in Beaumont, I didn't hear about this until a few years ago.

HT
@TxStHistAssoc



Beaumont, Texas

{snip}

History

{snip}

When the city became a major center for defense shipbuilding during World War II, tens of thousands of rural Texans migrated there for the new high-paying jobs. The Roosevelt administration ordered the defense industry to be integrated, and many Southern whites were working closely with blacks for the first time. Housing was scarce in the crowded city, and racial tensions increased. In June 1943 after workers at the Pennsylvania shipyards in Beaumont learned that a white woman had accused a black man of raping her, nearly 2,000 went to the jail where a suspect was being held, attracting more men along the way and reaching a total of 4,000.[20] Ultimately the white mob rioted for three days, destroying major black neighborhoods and killing five persons. No one was prosecuted for the deaths. The riot in Beaumont was one of several in 1943 which centered in the defense industry, including Los Angeles,[21] Detroit,[22] and Mobile, Alabama as well as other cities across the country.[23] The wartime social disruption was similar to war time riots which had occurred in other parts of the country during and following World War I.

{snip}

[20] James S. Olson. "Beaumont riot of 1943". The Handbook of Texas Online. Retrieved July 28, 2015.

[21] "Los Angeles Zoot Suit Riots". Los Angeles Almanac. Retrieved January 2, 2015.

[22] "Hatred on the Home Front: The Race Riots During WWII" (https://web.archive.org/web/20130607202717/http://life.time.com/history/detroit-race-riots-1943-photos-from-a-city-in-turmoil-during-wwii/). Time Inc. Archived from the original on June 7, 2013. Retrieved January 2, 2015.

[23] "Detroit Race Riots 1943". WGBH Educational Foundation. Retrieved September 22, 2015. In many cities the demands of wartime were manifesting themselves in outbursts of intolerance. Race riots had already erupted in Los Angeles, as well as Mobile, Alabama, and Beaumont, Texas.

{snip}

Thu Jun 15, 2023: On this day, June 15, 1943, a race riot broke out in Beaumont, Texas.

Tue Jun 16, 2020: June 15, 1943: Race riot erupts in Beaumont
6 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies

marble falls

(62,018 posts)
2. It's still being actively hidden. I've read histories of Kingsland, Tx and they talked about driving out black ...
Mon Jun 17, 2024, 09:14 AM
Jun 2024

... families over night in the 20s. When I went back to look for it, there's no mention of it anywhere I look. Not even a mention can I find online and I've lost the one book I knew had it and the new editions of it, don't mention it.

marble falls

(62,018 posts)
4. Thanks, I give it a look. I've considered approaching the Bob Bullard Museum. Or the Texas History Dept at UT.
Mon Jun 17, 2024, 09:21 AM
Jun 2024
Latest Discussions»Culture Forums»American History»On June 15, 1943, a race ...