"Thomas's ground-breaking study should occupy a central place in the literature of American urban history." —Choice" . . . path-breaking . . . a fine community study . . . " —Journal of American Studies"Thomas's work is essential reading . . . succeeds in providing a bridge of information on the social, political, legal, and economic development of the Detroit black community between the turn of the century and 1945." —Michigan Historical ReviewThe black community in Detroit developed into one of the major centers of black progress. Richard Thomas traces the building of this community from its roots in the 19th century, through the key period 1915-1945, by focusing on how industrial workers, ministers, politicians, business leaders, youth, and community activists contributed to the process.
RICHARD W. THOMAS, Associate Professor of History and Urban Affairs Programs at Michigan State University, is author or co-author of numerous publications in race relations and black history.
Table of Contents
List of IllustrationsList of TablesPrefaceAcknowledgmentsOne Early Struggles and Community BuildingTwo The Demand for Black Labor, Migration, and the Emerging Black Industrial Working Class, 1915-1930Three The Role of the Detroit Urban League in the Community Building Process, 1916-1945Fourt Weathering the StormFive Racial Discrimination in Industrial Detroit: Preparing the Ground for Community Social ConsciousnessSix Social Consciousness and Self-Helf: The Heart and Soul of Community BuildingSeven Protest and Politics: Emerging Forms of Community EmpowermentEight Conflicting Strategies of Black Community Building: Unionization vs. Ford Corporate Paternalism, 1936-1941EpilogueNotesSourcesIndex