"White Tenants in Our White Community" Sign Directed at U.S. Federal Housing Project in Detroit, Michigan, February 1942

A protest sign placed outside a housing project for African Americans in Detroit, Michigan. Detroit was one of many northern cities African Americans migrated to from the South during the Great Migration.

Courtesy of Library of Congress, Siegel, Arthur S., "Detroit, Michigan. Riot at the Sojourner Truth homes..." February 1942

Description

This is a photograph of a protest sign placed outside a housing project for African Americans in Detroit, Michigan. Detroit was one of many northern cities African Americans migrated to from the South during the Great Migration.

Source-Dependent Questions

What do you think was the purpose of this sign?
Think back to a time where you felt personally excluded from a group or made to believe you weren't wanted or accepted. How would your emotions be similar or different to those of African Americans who viewed this sign in Detroit?

Citation Information

Siegel, Arthur S., "Detroit, Michigan. Riot at the Sojourner Truth homes, a new U.Sn federal housing project, caused by white neighbors' attempt to prevent Negro tenants from moving in. Sign with American flag "We want white tenants in our white community," directly opposite the housing project," February 1942. Courtesy of Library of Congress