122 Years Ago The Wilmington Massacre Occured

The Wilmington Massacre is a little known story about voter suppression and racism.

About the Wilmington Massacre

The event took place 122 years ago in Wilmington, North Carolina. It is considered one of the deadliest racial violence moments in American history.

On Nov, 10 1898, a group of armed white supremacists stormed Wilmington streets, murdered dozens of Black citizens, and overthrew the government.

During this time, the City of Wilmington was home to affluent African American middle class.

Black men held elected positions.

The south’s only daily newspaper, The Daily Record, was owned by a Black man named Alexander Manly.

At the time, the conservative democratic party was led by former confederate leaders and white supremacists. A movement to remove progressive populists and republicans in upcoming elections began in 1897.

It came to a head in 1898 in Wilmington.

“A white supremacy campaign to win the 1898 election in North Carolina that led to a violent massacre of African Americans in our city,” Cape Fear Museum Historian Jan Davidson said to WWAY TV 3.

The Daily Record

Davidson says The Daily Record published an article in August that escalated racial tensions, placing a target on Manly.

“A white supremacy campaign to win the 1898 election in North Carolina that led to a violent massacre of African Americans in our city,” Cape Fear Museum Historian Jan Davidson said.

Election

The democratic party swept the 1898 election after threatening black voters.

The day after the election is when the horrific violence began.

“A mob of white men organized, marched through the streets and went to the local African American newspaper,” Davidson said. “Then proceeded to the Northside of town where violence broke out.”

Davidson says she is unsure of a definitive number but knows only Black men were killed. Reports have varied from 8 to hundreds.

“It is something that we as a community should acknowledge and learn from and we should do it every day, not necessarily just on November 10 every year,” Davidson said.

Remembering the Wilmington Massacre

The City of Wilmington called the events of 1898 “the worst moment in our history” in a tweet. They had a moment of silence by not posting on the social media account for the rest of the day to reflect on the event.

The city will also hold events throughout the rest of the month to bring awareness on the Wilmington Massacre, a tragic moment in American history.