Citizens In Arms: Black Americans, Mobility, And Armed Self-Defense At The Turn Of The Century

Citizens in Arms: Black Americans, Mobility, and Armed Self-Defense at the Turn of the Century explores the grassroots activism and direct action of Black Americans during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, focusing on their use of armed self-defense to safeguard rights established under the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments. I analyze the discourse surrounding freedom of movement, armed self-defense, and constitutional rights through the perspective of Black newspapers owned and operated by Black Americans. These papers served as crucial platforms for expression and advocacy within the Black American community, offering valuable insights into how Black Americans perceived and defended their rights against racial violence. I argue that Black individuals and communities strategically employed armed self-defense as a means of protection and empowerment in the face of pervasive racial violence and oppression. This dissertation underscores how constitutional guarantees of emancipation from slavery, due process, equal protection under the law, and voting rights intersected with freedom of movement and armed self-defense in the lived experiences of Black Americans. Additionally, this project demonstrates that armed self-defense emerged as a necessary response to ongoing racial violence and intimidation faced by Black Americans in their pursuit of political participation and equality. By emphasizing the role of armed self-defense and Black mobility, this research contributes to a nuanced understanding of Black resistance within the broader struggle for civil rights.