Life for Us Is What We Make It: Building Black Community in Detroit, 1915–1945 (Blacks in the Diaspora)

The Process Of Black Community Building Was Not Smooth Or Free Of Conflict. There Was Much Trial And Error And More Than A Little Rancor Between Its Chief Builders And Benefactors. Notwithstanding Those Impediments, By 1945 The Black Community In Detroit Had Developed Into One Of The Major Centers Of Black Progress. Richard W. Thomas Begins His Analysis Of Black Community Building In The Key Period 1915-1945 By Examining The Community's Roots In Nineteenth-century Detroit. He Focuses On How Industrial Workers, Social Workers, Ministers, Politicians, Protest Leaders, Business And Professional People, Housewives, Youth, And Community Institutions And Organizations All Contributed To The Process. Thomas's Approach Draws On, But Differs From, Studies That Emphasize The Ghetto And Proletarianization In The Black Urban Experience. Rather Than Singling Out A Few Dominant Aspects Of That Experience, Thomas Employs A Holistic Perspective To Present A Fuller Understanding Of The Creation Of Black Community.--book Jacket. 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-help: 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. Richard W. Thomas. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Frontmatter (page N/A) List of Illustrations (page ix) List of Tables (page x) Preface (page xi) Acknowledgments (page xv) One Early Struggles and Community Building (page 1) Two The Demand for Black Labor, Migration, and the Emerging Black Industrial Working Class, 1915-1930 (page 20) Three The Role of the Detroit Urban League in the Community Building Process, 1916-1945 (page 49) Four Weathering the Storm (page 88) Five Reacial Discrimination in Industrial Detroit: Preparing the Ground for community Social Consciousness (page 123) Six Social Consciousness and Self-Help: The Heart and Soul of Community Building (page 174) Seven Protest and Politics: Emerging Forms of Community Empowerment (page 228) Eight Conflicting Strategies of Black Community Building: Unionization vs. Ford Corporate Paternalism, 1936-1941 (page 271) Epilogue (page 313) Notes (page 321) Sources (page 355) Index (page 358) "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. Black community building was not a smooth or conflict-free process. This study focuses on how industrial workers, social workers, ministers, politicians, protest leaders, business and professional people, housewives, youth, and a range of community institutions and organizations all contributed to the process.