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The tradition of misinformation regarding Black communities is a long-standing strategy within political campaigning.
Despite comprehensive investigations dismissing the false claims that Haitian immigrants were eating cats and dogs in Springfield, Ohio, former President Donald Trump and his Republican supporters continue to perpetuate these unfounded narratives.
Reflecting on the issue, JD Vance, Trump’s running mate, openly stated, “If I have to create stories, that’s what I’m going to do,” as reported.
This kind of deceitful political rhetoric is not new; as noted by columnist Lydia Polgreen in The New York Times, it appears that these statements have “crossed a truly unacceptable line.” Yet, for over a century, White politicians have harnessed racist, fearmongering hyperbole concerning Black individuals.
A particularly infamous instance of this tactic unfolded in 1908 in another Springfield—this one located in Illinois. As a historian focused on the intersection of racism and democracy, I believe the events of that period provide valuable context for understanding the current situation in Springfield, Ohio.
In many ways, the act of lying seems to serve a deliberate purpose.
A Pattern of Disinformation
In 1908, Springfield, Illinois, a city of roughly 50,000 residents—similar in size to present-day Springfield, Ohio—boasted a dynamic manufacturing sector that attracted a growing Black population, which had been increasing at a rate of about 4% each year. By that time, around 2,500 Black individuals had settled there, seeking better opportunities while fleeing the oppressive conditions of the Deep South.
As some Black families began to achieve economic stability, anxiety grew among certain white residents, fueled by the unfounded belief that Black migrants were stealing jobs. This climate of fear was exacerbated by rumors circulating from dubious newspaper articles claiming a Black man had assaulted a white woman.
The alleged incident described a Black man breaking into a white household and assaulting a white woman, but weeks later, the woman recanted her story, admitting it was fabricated. By that point, however, the damage had been done, and a wave of anti-Black violence erupted.
According to journalist William English Walling, Springfield’s white population unleashed brutal attacks on Black individuals, ransacking homes and businesses, resulting in multiple fatalities, including the tragic lynching of 84-year-old William K. Donnegan.
The Fabric of Racial Stereotypes
During this period, racial anxieties were often linked to sexual violence—particularly the idea of Black men assaulting white women. Such fears were entrenched in a broader narrative that sought to safeguard white supremacy and uphold the myth of racial superiority.
Ida B. Wells, a prominent Black journalist, was one of the earliest voices to challenge these harmful stereotypes. In 1892, after a friend was lynched under similar false pretexts, Wells articulated the reality of these “rape myths,” arguing that the widespread belief in Black men’s inherent criminality was a deception aimed at justifying violence against them.
The Dynamics of Political Exploitation
A similar pattern unfolded during the 1898 election in Wilmington, North Carolina, where fusion between discontented white Populists and Black Republicans challenged the white-nationalist Democratic Party. This coalition threatened to upend the established order, prompting Democrats to incite racial tension through egregious lies about Black men preying on white women.
Rebecca Felton, a notable figure who spoke at a Georgia Agricultural Society meeting, openly advocated for lynching as a means to “protect” white women’s virtue. In contrast, Alexander Manly, the Black editor of a Wilmington newspaper, countered these narratives, emphasizing that such stories were mere fabrications designed to stoke racial animosity.
In a calculated move, Democrats disseminated Manly’s critiques, rallying support for a violent coup that sought to erase political gains made by the Black community and restore white supremacy in Wilmington.
Modern Echoes of Historic Manipulation
In contemporary political discourse, Vance echoes these divisive tactics, inviting his supporters to dismiss the media’s concerns while promoting derogatory memes concerning marginalized communities. His comments come against the backdrop of a highly-watched presidential debate, where Trump loudly reiterated his fantastical claims regarding Haitian immigrants.
This revival of old narratives reflects a cyclical pattern in American politics, wherein fear and distortion are wielded as weapons to maintain systemic inequities and divisions.
Source
phys.org