| Description |
1 online resource (310 pages) : illustrations. |
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text file PDF |
| Series |
Politics and culture in modern America
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Politics and culture in modern America.
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| Bibliography |
Includes bibliographical references and index. |
| Contents |
A tarnished Golden Age: race and recreation before World War II -- The fifth freedom: racial liberalism, nonviolence, and recreation riots in the 1940s -- "A northern city with a southern exposure": challenging recreational segregation in the 1950s -- Violence in the city of good neighbors: delinquency and consumer rights in the postwar city -- Building a national movement: students confront recreational segregation -- "Riotland": race and the decline of urban amusements. |
| Summary |
"Throughout the twentieth century, African Americans challenged segregation at amusement parks, swimming pools, and skating rinks not only in pursuit of pleasure but as part of a wider struggle for racial equality. Well before the Montgomery bus boycott, mothers led their children into segregated amusement parks, teenagers congregated at forbidden swimming pools, and church groups picnicked at white-only parks. But too often white mobs attacked those who dared to transgress racial norms. In Race, Riots, and Roller Coasters, Victoria W. Wolcott tells the story of this battle for access to leisure space in cities all over the United States. Contradicting the nostalgic image of urban leisure venues as democratic spaces, Wolcott reveals that racial segregation was crucial to their appeal. Parks, pools, and playgrounds offered city dwellers room to exercise, relax, and escape urban cares. These gathering spots also gave young people the opportunity to mingle, flirt, and dance. As cities grew more diverse, these social forms of fun prompted white insistence on racially exclusive recreation. Wolcott shows how black activists and ordinary people fought such infringements on their right to access public leisure. In the face of violence and intimidation, they swam at white-only beaches, boycotted discriminatory roller rinks, and picketed Jim Crow amusement parks. When African Americans demanded inclusive public recreational facilities, white consumers abandoned those places. Many parks closed or privatized within a decade of desegregation. Wolcott's book tracks the decline of the urban amusement park and the simultaneous rise of the suburban theme park, reframing these shifts within the civil rights context. Filled with detailed accounts and powerful insights, Race, Riots, and Roller Coasters brings to light overlooked aspects of conflicts over public accommodations. This eloquent history demonstrates the significance of leisure in American race relations."--Jacket. |
| Access |
DRM-free. |
| Language |
In English. |
| Provenance |
Gift of Paul and Mary Haas. |
| Subject |
African Americans -- Recreation -- United States -- History -- 20th century.
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African Americans -- Recreation. |
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United States. |
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History. |
| Chronological Term |
20th century |
| Subject |
African Americans -- Segregation -- United States -- History -- 20th century.
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African Americans -- Segregation. |
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Recreation -- Social aspects -- United States -- History -- 20th century.
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Recreation -- Social aspects. |
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Recreation. |
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African Americans -- Civil rights -- United States -- History -- 20th century.
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African Americans -- Civil rights. |
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United States -- Race relations -- History -- 20th century.
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Race relations. |
| Chronological Term |
1900-1999 |
| Genre/Form |
Electronic books.
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History.
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| Other Form: |
Print version: 9781283898447 |
| ISBN |
9780812244342 (hardback ; alkaline paper) |
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0812244346 (hardback ; alkaline paper) |
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9781283898447 (MyiLibrary) |
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1283898446 (MyiLibrary) |
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9780812207590 (electronic book) |
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0812207599 (electronic book) |
| Standard No. |
10.9783/9780812207590 |
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