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Reading Guide |
| 2. |
Associations (I)
| - | "The Benevolent and Charitable Societies of Cincinnati, Ohio," from The Proceedings of the Semi-Centenary Celebration of the African Methodist Episcopal Church of Cincinnati, 1874 |
| - | "Our Women's Clubs" (12 Sept. 1903) and "Women's Clubs" (6 August 1904), Cleveland Journal |
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During this period, among whites and blacks, benevolent and charitable societies, especially women's clubs, arose to address the problems of a rapidly industrializing society. Among African Americans these organizations were particularly important. Scanning the list of black societies in Cincinnati—it runs for seven pages with a lot of white space—will give you a sense of the typical causes the African American societies championed. On the list you will find a sewing circle, probably similar to the one described in the Hopkins's chapter below. The two articles from the Cleveland Journal, a black newspaper, suggest the tone of the societies and illustrate the interlocking themes of racial solidarity, identity, respectability, self-confidence, self-reliance, and general betterment that characterize virtually all black institutions at this time. 9 pages.
Discussion questions
- What do the names of the societies suggest?
- What do the societies suggest about the role of African American churches at this time?
- What do the Cleveland Journal articles suggest about the role of women in the African American community at this time?
- What image of women's clubs does the article convey?
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Topic Framing Questions
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What roles did institutions play in African American life at this time? |
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In what ways did institutions shape and reflect African American identity?
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