200 Black Cities Drowned Underwater: The Government’s Dark History

Summary

This video uncovers the forgotten history of over 200 Black cities in the United States that were deliberately submerged beneath lakes and reservoirs. These communities, built with resilience and hope after slavery, thrived with schools, businesses, and cultural hubs. However, systemic racism and white resentment led to violent attacks and government-sanctioned flooding, erasing these legacies from history. The story reveals the use of infrastructure projects as tools of oppression, the long-lasting impact on Black families, and the ongoing efforts to rediscover and honor these lost communities. It calls for remembrance, justice, and a deeper understanding of environmental racism.

Takeaways

• 😀 Black communities across the United States were systematically erased, with over 200 towns deliberately drowned under lakes and reservoirs.
• 🌅 These black cities were thriving communities that represented resilience, innovation, and hope for African Americans after the Civil War.
• 💔 The erasure of these communities was driven by racism, white resentment, and a desire to suppress black success and progress.
• 🚱 Infrastructure projects, such as dams and lakes, were used as tools of systemic racism under the guise of public good, causing black towns to be displaced and erased.
• 🌍 Examples of drowned black cities include Oscarville, Georgia, and Bon, Alabama, where thriving communities were submerged for flood control and other projects.
• 🏞️ The government used eminent domain laws to seize black-owned land without adequate compensation, exacerbating economic inequalities and contributing to generational poverty.
• ⚖️ The destruction of these cities worsened the racial wealth gap, as many black families lost their homes, businesses, and land, while white families received fair compensation.
• ⛓️ The violent destruction of black communities was not only physical but emotional, as descendants of these families grew up with the trauma of lost legacies and erased histories.
• 🔍 Researchers and historians are working to uncover and preserve the stories of these lost cities through archival work, underwater archaeology, and digital platforms.
• ✊ Efforts to memorialize these cities include documentaries, memorials, and events led by descendants and activists who are committed to preserving the legacies of these communities.

Q & A

What were the black cities that were submerged under water in the United States?

Over 200 black cities across the United States were deliberately flooded, often under the guise of infrastructure projects like dams and reservoirs. These cities, such as Oscarville, Georgia, and Bon, Alabama, were thriving black communities that were submerged as part of systemic racism and efforts to erase black progress.

Why were these black cities targeted for flooding?

These cities were targeted due to their success and prosperity, which threatened the prevailing racist systems of the time. White supremacists, backed by government policies, aimed to destroy the economic independence and social progress of black communities, often using eminent domain to seize the land under the guise of public good.

What was the role of systemic racism in the destruction of these communities?

Systemic racism played a key role by using government infrastructure projects, such as dams and reservoirs, as a cover for dismantling thriving black cities. These projects disproportionately targeted black communities, offering little to no compensation and ensuring that these cities and their legacies were erased from history.

What were some examples of thriving black communities before they were flooded?

Communities like Greenwood in Tulsa, Oklahoma (Black Wall Street), and Eatonville, Florida, were examples of thriving black cities that had schools, businesses, and strong cultural identities. Despite their success, they became targets for destruction due to white resentment and racist policies.

How were these black communities contributing to racial equality during the late 19th and early 20th centuries?

These black communities represented resilience and hope, with residents creating schools, hospitals, businesses, and other institutions that fostered social and economic independence. They defied the racial limitations imposed by slavery and Jim Crow laws, showing that black Americans could achieve greatness.

What is the significance of the term 'environmental racism' in the context of this story?

'Environmental racism' refers to the discriminatory practice of using infrastructure projects as a tool to harm black communities. These projects, such as dams and reservoirs, were not only harmful to the environment but were also strategically designed to destroy black neighborhoods, replace them with white progress, and erase black history.

What happened to the residents of these drowned cities?

The residents of these communities were forcibly displaced, often with little or no compensation. Many were evicted under threats of violence, and their homes, businesses, and entire legacies were submerged under water. Their descendants were left without a physical connection to their past or any opportunities for restitution.

What is the impact of these submerged cities on the descendants of the displaced families?

The descendants of those displaced by these projects often experience a profound sense of loss and trauma. The destruction of their communities not only robbed them of land and wealth but also severed their connection to their ancestral history and pride in their forebearers' achievements.

How has the story of these submerged black cities been preserved and rediscovered?

In recent years, historians and researchers have uncovered records and used technology, like sonar mapping and underwater archaeology, to locate and document these submerged cities. Archival work and digital platforms are also helping preserve the stories of these lost communities for future generations.

What steps can be taken to address the historical wrongs done to these communities?

Addressing these historical wrongs involves education, advocacy, and efforts to preserve the legacies of these communities. Supporting historians and activists working on these issues and pushing for reparative justice are key steps in ensuring that the truth about these erased cities is recognized and honored.