Life for Us Is What We Make It: Building Black Community in Detroit, 1915-1945

"Thomas's ground-breaking study should occupy a central place in the literature of American urban history." -- Choice "... path-breaking... a fine community study... " -- Journal of American Studies "Thomas's work is essential reading... succeeds in providing a bridge of information on the social, political, legal, and economic development of the Detroit black community between the turn of the century and 1945. -- Michigan Historical Review The black community in Detroit developed into one of the major centers of black progress. Richard Thomas traces the building of this community from its roots in the 19th century, through the key period 1915-1945, by focusing on how industrial workers, ministers, politicians, business leaders, youth, and community activists contributed to the process. Thomas's Ground-breaking Study Should Occupy A Central Place In The Literature Of American Urban History. -- Choice ... Path-breaking... A Fine Community Study... -- Journal Of American Studies Thomas's Work Is Essential Reading... Succeeds In Providing A Bridge Of Information On The Social, Political, Legal, And Economic Development Of The Detroit Black Community Between The Turn Of The Century And 1945. -- Michigan Historical Review The Black Community In Detroit Developed Into One Of The Major Centers Of Black Progress. Richard Thomas Traces The Building Of This Community From Its Roots In The 19th Century, Through The Key Period 1915-1945, By Focusing On How Industrial Workers, Ministers, Politicians, Business Leaders, Youth, And Community Activists Contributed To The Process. List of Illustrations List of Tables Preface Acknowledgments 1. Early Struggles and Community Building 2. The Demand for Black Labor, Migration, and the Emerging Black Industrial Working Class, 1915-1930 3. The Role of the Detroit Urban League in the Community Building Process, 1916-1945 4. Weathering the Storm 5. Racial Discrimination in Industrial Detroit: Preparing the Ground for Community Social Consciousness 6. Social Consciousness and Self-Helf: The Heart and Soul of Community Building 7. Protest and Politics: Emerging Forms of Community Empowerment 8. Conflicting Strategies of Black Community Building: Unionization vs. Ford Corporate Paternalism, 1936-1941 Epilogue Notes Sources Index