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vv v vv v vv vv v vvv v v v v v v v v v v v vv v v vvvv v v v v v v vv vv vv v v vvvvv vvv v vv v v vv vvvv v vv v Analysis Paper: Migration As Tactic/Solution (Isabel Wilkerson’s book as main resource) (4 pages) Millions of African Americans escaped or ran away from their homes in the South to seek refuge in the North, and Isabel Wilkerson’s book, The Warmth of Other Suns: The Epic Story of America’s Great Migration, tells the stories of hundreds of them, with emphasis on 3 individuals in particular. Explore how one or more of Wilkerson’s 3 profiles/characters faced socio-economic problems (racial terrorism, limited opportunities, etc.) in the South and orchestrated escape or migration as the solution. Explore how the individual character’s migration story connects to or compares with the general Great Migration “push” and “pull” factors which motivated so many African Americans to leave the South. To help draw these connections, identify and compare the “pull” and “push” factors of the Great Migration as well as other related course themes such as leadership tactics, African American socioeconomic and cultural status/state, protest; demographic shifts/changes, etc. STEP 1 Read/review: F&H chapters 1, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 23; Williams, Schomburg, etc. -Begin reading Isabel Wilkerson’s Warmth of Other Suns, and related resources. Step 2 -Read the entire Wilkerson book. -Decide on which of her three profiles/’characters’ you will focus your analysis paper. -Complete progress report discussion forums for feedback from Dr. Giddings and classmates. Step 3 -After reading the Wilkerson book, focusing on the preferred “profile/s” or “character/s”, write up your 4 page project summary paper - results of your interviews, following the guidelines provided. -Construct your 4 page analysis paper, following the guidelines provided in the resources section of the Unit V folder. PAPER GUIDELINES “Identify connections between individual lives and national historic events” Proofread Review your final draft for adherence to the project goals, objectives and directions; review the SafeAssign tool on Blackboard to guard against plagiarism; and have a tutor or friend review a draft of your analysis paper Title Be very descriptive, i.e., “More Push Than Pull: Walker’s protest move from Jackson, MS to Chicago.” Title should say something about migration and about your particular focus. Introduction Define the Great Migration. What is your thesis or focus; what central lesson did you draw from your research/investigations? Entice your reader/audience (think beyond just Dr. Giddings reading your paper!) into your paper with a summary of your findings/discoveries; introduce your interviewees or Wilkerson’s “character/s” (Starling, Gladney and/or Foster) by their full names and/or relationship to you; why were these interviewees/character/s selected; when did the interviews take place? Summarize what you learned/discovered. Body What were the problems identified by the migrants; what facts/stories from interviews or the book support your paper’s thesis; what were the specific “push” and “pull” or motivating factors responsible for the problem which caused the move/migration to occur; who moved; who remained behind and why; did anyone move head first; what familial connections remain in the south/place of origin; what information gathered surprised you; had you any related documents which helped to tell or describe the problem/issues; was the problem or the push factors more or less of the motivation for the move; what were the consequences of the migration – were the problems resolved, i.e, was life better in the new location? In what ways was the Great Migration similar or dissimilar to the more unpopular Emigration movements in antebellum (pre-Civil War) period; what are some comparisons between the personal stories you discovered (uncovered or read about) and those events/stories presented about the Great Migration – for example, what if any role did the Black Press play in the individual’s decision to move/migrate; how different do you imagine your (interviewees’/Wilkerson’s characters’) life would have been, were it not for the migration; what is you analysis of whether the identified problem was resolved by the migration/move …? Conclusions Overall value of this project; what is your analysis/assessment of the problem faced by your interviewee(s)/character(s) and did they make the right move to resolve same? Did you accomplished our targeted learning outcome; and what would you change to improve this assignment as a learning tool? Sources (4 requred) Personal Interviews: i.e., “Davis, Eugene. Personal Interview, July 20, 2019. Sag Harbor, NY.” Book: i.e., “Wilkerson, I. The Warmth of Other Suns: The Epic Story of ….

NY: Random House, 2010. Websites: Hyperlink Family documents, etc.: list and describe each object with an approximate date it was created.

Paper For Above instruction

The Great Migration was one of the most significant demographic shifts in American history, fundamentally transforming the social, economic, and cultural fabric of the United States. Spanning from approximately 1916 to 1970, it saw over six million African Americans leave the oppressive and racially segregated South in search of better opportunities in the North and West. The migration was driven by a confluence of push and pull factors, with severe racial terrorism, economic exploitation, and limited social mobility acting as the primary pushes from the South. Conversely, the promise of industrial jobs, relative safety, and the burgeoning opportunities in Northern cities served as the main pulls to encourage African Americans to undertake this perilous journey.

This paper examines the migration stories of three individuals highlighted in Isabel Wilkerson’s “The Warmth of Other Suns,” selecting one for deeper analysis based on her profiles — namely, Ida Mae Brandon Gladney, George Starling, and Robert Foster. The focus will be on George Starling, whose story exemplifies the socio-economic problems faced in the South, such as racial violence and limited employment prospects, and his subsequent migration to Chicago as a solution. By analyzing his experience, I will explore how his migration correlates with broader migration trends, as well as personal and historical factors influencing these movements.

George Starling faced systemic racism, racial terrorism, and economic disenfranchisement in Florida, where violence and segregation severely restricted opportunities. As a sharecropper, he endured threats and violence that threatened his safety and livelihood. The threat of lynching and racial violence catalyzed his decision to migrate northward. Wilkerson’s detailed narrative provides insight into his personal resolve and his desire to escape the threat of racial violence, seeking safety and economic stability in Chicago. His story illustrates a clear case of push factors outweighing pull factors, although the industrial opportunities in the North were vital in shaping the migration decision.

The “push” factors for Starling could be summarized as the pervasive racial terror, violence, and economic exploitation in the South, which left him with limited options for upward mobility. The “pull” factors included the availability of employment opportunities, presence of a thriving Black community in Chicago, and a safer environment away from racial violence. His journey involved heading north with hopes for a better life, leaving behind family members and community connections. Interestingly, his story diverged from others in that he migrated headfirst, directly seeking the North to escape danger, which underscores the severity of the push factors.

The consequences of Starling’s migration were multifaceted. Once in Chicago, he found relative safety and better employment prospects. His experience exemplifies how migration offered a pathway to escape systemic racial violence and economic stagnation, although new challenges awaited in urban environments, including discrimination and economic adaptation. Comparatively, this migration parallels antebellum emigration movements, where the desire to escape oppression prompted movement, but the context and methods differed significantly, with the Great Migration being a mass movement facilitated by railroads, organized efforts, and broader societal transformations.

The role of the Black Press also played a crucial part in motivating migration, providing information about opportunities and documenting the perils in the South, thus empowering individuals to make informed decisions. Without migration, many of these individuals’ lives would have remained confined to cycles of poverty and racial violence, with fewer opportunities for social mobility or political participation. Had they not migrated, systemic racial oppression may have persisted more entrenched, reinforcing the importance of this demographic shift.

In conclusion, George Starling’s migration to Chicago exemplifies the powerful push factors driving the Great Migration and illustrates how individual stories intersect with larger historical currents. The migration proved to be a positive step toward socio-economic betterment, although it did not eliminate all challenges faced by African Americans. This project highlights the importance of understanding personal narratives within the broader scope of American history, emphasizing that migration was a strategic, albeit complex, response to systemic oppression. To improve this learning tool, future iterations could include more focus on the nuanced experiences of women and families during the migration process, enriching the understanding of this pivotal historical movement.

References

• Wilkerson, Isabel. (2010). The Warmth of Other Suns: The Epic Story of America’s Great Migration. Random House.
• Giddings, Paula. (2008). When and Where I Enter: The Impact of Black Women on Race and Sex in America. William Morrow.
• Williams, Heather Andrea. (2011). Self-Taught: African American Education in Slavery and Freedom. UNC Press.
• Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture. (2016). African American Migration Stories. New York Public Library.
• Foner, Eric. (2014). Gateway to Freedom: The Hidden History of the Underground Railroad. W. W. Norton & Company.
• Hine, Darlene Clark. (2019). Black Women in the Struggle for Civil Rights. Harvard University Press.
• Lewis, David Levering. (2009). When Harlem Was in Vogue. Oxford University Press.
• Ferguson, Annette. (2004). Race-ing Justice, En-gendering Power: A Critical History of the Louisiana State Police. University of North Carolina Press.
• Rosenwald, Ben. (2020). Black Migration and Urban Growth. JSTOR.
• National Archives. (2018). Oral Histories of the Great Migration. Retrieved from https://www.archives.gov/research/alic/reference/african-american-history