Biden to designate the site of 1908 race riot a national monument
As I sit to write about President Biden’s decision to designate the site of the 1908 race riot in Springfield, Illinois as a national monument, I can’t help but be filled with conflicting emotions and thoughts. The fact that such a significant and heartbreaking event in our nation’s history isn’t widely known is a stark reminder of the deliberate erasure of certain narratives. It’s unsettling to realize that there are countless other instances of racial violence and oppression that have been swept under the rug, waiting to be brought to light.
The term “race riot” feels like a gross understatement when referring to what happened in Springfield.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker