GHETTOS

A BR I E

F HI S

TOR Y AS I T

RE L AT E S T

O

OUR AM

ER ICA

GHETTO: THE BEGINNING• The term ghetto began in the year

1512 in Italy. It was primarily used in Venice.

• Early in its history, the word ghetto meant a walled-off or gated section of a city where Jewish people were forced to live.

EARLY GHETTOS• Jews were viewed as a

cultural minority. • Jewish people were

placed under strict regulations throughout many European cities.

• Jews were forced to live together in the ghetto.

• Laws forced Jews to wear a star-shaped badge and yellow beret.

THE HOLOCAUST• In the mid 1930s the Nazis set up over 300 Jewish

ghettos.• Unlike earlier ghettos, the Nazi ghettos were

overcrowded, poor, and rampant with disease. • These ghettos were marked off by stone walls,

fences, barbed wire, and armed guards. • Jewish people were forced to stay there under

penalty or arrest or even death.

GHETTOS AND AMERICA

• For many Americans, especially African-Americans in urban areas, the ghettos were seen as home.

• Until the civil unrest of the 1970’s, the black ghettos were sites of thriving businesses, schools, and well-kept homes; residents did not reside in poverty.

• However, with the deteriorating housing and family structure, and rise in unemployment, poverty, crime and drugs, the quality of life in the housing projects and ghetto rapidly deteriorated.

Ghetto Deterioration

THE ID

A B. WELL

S

S E T T I NG T

H E ST A G E F

O R OU R A

ME R I C

A

WHO IS IDA B. WELLS?• Born in Mississippi

in 1862.• Ida went to Rust

College and earned her degree.

• In 1888, she became a teacher.

• In Memphis, she became editor and co-owner of the local Black newspaper, Free Speech and Headlight

IDA B. WELLS(CONTINUED)

• After a friend was lynched in 1892, Ida attacked back through her paper and encouraged Blacks to move West.

• Her life in danger, Ida left for England to find work.

• Ida moved to Chicago upon her return to the US.

• Ida founded the Women’s Era Club, the first civic organization for African-American women.

IDA B. WELLS• Ida was a member of the

“Committee of 40,” a civil rights organization that eventually would become the NAACP.

• The NAACP is the oldest civil rights group in the nation.

• Ida died in 1931, but continued the fight for equal rights up to her death.

1930S & 1940S CHICAGO HOUSING• Whether outright or

subtle, housing and other forms or discrimination and segregation was commonplace.

Employers were free to choose job applicants based on race, religion, or ethnicity.

Because of this, jobs andIn 1941, the Ida B. Wells housing project was complete.

CHICAGO PUBLIC HOUSING• These housing projects

were low-rise townhouses• The Ida B. Wells was the

first public housing project in Chicago.

• The Ida B. Wells gave 1600 families safe, affordable homes.

• It also provided jobs for contractors, engineers, plumbers, masons, and other craftsmen.

• The neighborhood became a cultural center, including hotels, live entertainment, restaurants, and movie theaters.

THE IDA BS:1942 Vs. 2003

A CLASS IN RADIO FOR YOUNGSTERS AT IDA B. WELLS HOUSING PROJECT, 1942.

IDA B. WELLS HOUSING PROJECT, 1942.

IDA B. WELLS HOUSING PROJECT, 1942.

A CHILDRENS' RHYTHM BAND IN A MUSIC CLASS, IDA B. WELLS HOUSING PROJECT, 1942.

CHILDREN PLAYING A GAME IN A MUSIC CLASS, IDA B. WELLS HOUSING PROJECT, 1942.

A MEETING OF THE CUB SCOUTS IN THE COMMUNITY CENTER, IDA B. WELLS HOUSING PROJECT, 1942.

AN APARTMENT IN THE IDA B. WELLS HOUSING PROJECT, 1942.

THE CARR FAMILY IN THEIR LIVING ROOM, IDA B. WELLS HOUSING PROJECT, 1942.

IN THE KITCHEN OF THE CARR HOME, IDA B. WELLS HOUSING PROJECT, 1942.

JELNA CARR AND HER FATHER LISTEN TO THE 6:45 NEWS BROADCAST, IDA B. WELLS HOUSING PROJECT, 1942.

JELNA AND HER SISTER GRACE BOTH PLAY THE PIANO, IDA B. WELLS HOUSING PROJECT, 1942.

RALPH AND GRACE CARR, JELNA'S BROTHER AND SISTER.

JELNA LIKES SCIENCES, IS GOING TO BE A DOCTOR. FOR CHRISTMAS, HER PARENTS BOUGHT HER THIS CHEMISTRY SET. IDA B. WELLS HOUSING PROJECT, 1942.

MRS. ELLA PATTERSON, THE OLDEST RESIDENT AT THE IDA B. WELLS HOUSING PROJECT, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, AND HER GRANDSON, 1942.

IDA B. WELLS HOUSING PROJECTS, 2003.

IDA B. WELLS HOUSING PROJECTS, 2003.

IDA B. WELLS HOUSING PROJECTS, 2003.

IDA B. WELLS HOUSING PROJECTS, 2003.

IDA B. WELLS HOUSING PROJECTS, 2003.

IDA B. WELLS HOUSING PROJECTS, 2003.

IDA B. WELLS HOUSING PROJECTS, 2003.