Cincinnati has a long history of rioting, particularly against "outsiders" like German and Black people. Seven out of eleven of their major riots were as a result of racial animosity against Black people. In 1829, competition for jobs between immigrants, Irish in particular, and free Black people grew to racial tension. People in charge of the poor quarter of the area stated that Black people would be required to pay $500 within 30 days or be expelled from the city. This was the terms of an 1807 law that had been created to discourage Black people from settling in Ohio, but which had not been enforced until this time. However, the growing Black community in Cincinnati led to an increase in hostilities against them. In August, white mobs attacked the Black district, many of whom were Irish. For eight days, white people destroyed businesses, burned residences and other structures, and attacked Black residents. When police finally did respond to the violence, they arrested not only the white rioters, but also Black residents. The Mayor dismissed charges against ten Black people, and imposed fines on eight white people, but the damage was done. Many Black families fled the city, most heading north and into Canada. The riot had done what the white people had hoped for. By the end of August, as much as 1500 left the city.
Sources:
- Wikipedia: Cincinnati Riots of 1829
- Wikipedia: List of Cincinnati Riots
- The Cincinnati Race Riots
- Cincinnati Riots of 1829
We talk about people in the North as though they have nothing to do with racism or slavery, but the truth is, even once slavery was outlawed in the North, racism stayed firmly in place. Black people were "outsiders" despite having been born on US soil, and having at least one generation of ancestors having been born here as well in most cases. Black people were only of use to white people for how they could be used. When they couldn't be used to make money off of, they were no longer of use, so white people didn't want them around. Whether guilt or greed, they used this discomfort to punish Black people. And they still do.
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