The fourth installment of the College Liberal Arts and Education Faculty Forum Series was held on Feb. 4. David Krugler, a UW-Platteville history professor, presented “The Race Riots of 1919: America’s War at Home.”

During the presentation, Krugler explained why 1919 held so much racial conflict. Many African Americans had fought in World War I to spread the US ideals of democracy to other countries. Many wanted the same democracy they were fighting for back at home, but were not getting the same rights and recognitions that many whites had. Many white Americans were determined to protect the white way of thinking, or their white “supremacy” at the time period.

Due to biased press coverage, common stereotypes and instances in which white criminals disguised themselves as blacks, many whites believed blacks were inherently criminal. There were social and economical tensions from African Americans, especially post World War I; many African Americans were unable to get or maintain jobs post-war.

Krugler introduced four men that he had become “familiar” with throughout the research process, Berry Washington, Eugene Williams, Joe Etter and William Brown, as a way to introduce the audience to the conflicts blacks endure during the time period.

“I chose the four men because I wanted to humanize the conflict for my audience, that is, help them see the conflict through the experiences of four men who died during the riot,” Krugler said.

The four men, while they lost their lives in 1919, would represent themes that were addressed through out the lecture; the themes, which included self-defense, segregation and false allegations of crimes, were themes that were revived post World War I.

Amy Parsons, assistant professor of English specialization in many fields including cultural studies, was the respondent to the presentation. In her short presentation, Parsons described the 1915 film The Birth of a Nation, as an example to Krugler’s explanation on racial stereotypes, and the importance of the Harlem Renaissance, the time between the 1920s and 1930s, where African American artists and intellectuals rejected the styles and culture of the white Americans.

“It was one of the most popular films during the silent film area, but used some of the worst stereotypes of African Americans,” Parsons said. She said that people accepted the film because it was very well done and that it was art.

“The Harlem Renaissance did the reverse of what The Birth of a Nation did,” Parsons said. During this time, African Americans “created art from their humanity” and were able to dismiss the “empty stereotypes.”

Students and staff were present during the presentation, and some believe that there was something learned historically and culturally during the presentation.

“I just believe that this is something that the campus needs so we can fully understand one another,” Quincy Bufkin, junior civil engineering and theater major, said. “This is where the campus lacks when it comes to the understanding aspect of it.”

“As days have passed since the presentation, I am thinking it over and am becoming more aware of the linkage between the cultural developments of the times and the historical events of the times,” Richard Egley, dean of students, said. “The presentation specifically, and the forums in general, are excellent learning opportunities for students.”

“The Race Riot” was a lecture based on a book Krugler is currently writing entitled Red Summer: America’s Race War of 1919. This will be Krugler’s third book.