The California Boomtown That Racism Destroyed

The recent 100th anniversary of the Tulsa massacre brought renewed attention to the way, throughout much of American history, racial violence has destroyed Black lives and livelihoods. But not all wealth destruction has been violent. It’s no less important to recognize the myriad instances in which a White establishment has more subtly undermined Black efforts at worldbuilding and economic advancement, effectively stealing their boots while telling them to pull themselves up by their bootstraps.

The sad story of Allensworth, California is a case in point.