1. African American Political Voices of the 1920s
Oscar De Priest & Marcus Garvey

2. Congressman Oscar De Priest 1929-1935
Representative of Illinois
Republican from city of Chicago
1st African American Congressman of the 20th Century
Groundbreaker, Lawmaker, Civil Rights Advocate

3. True “Rags to Riches” Story
Born in Florence, Alabama
To former slaves
Father rescued a Lynching victim
Another victim killed on their doorstep
Family joined the “Exodusters” and moved to Kansas, 1878
Studied Business & Bookkeeping
Worked as a Painter & Decorator

4. Moved to Chicago in 1889

5. A successful businessman
A Building Contractor
Real Estate Broker
Built a Fortune in Stock Market
Helped Black families move into All-white neighborhoods & apartments
Received Death Threats
Oscar De Priest House – Apartment Building

6. Path to Washington County Commissioner
Chicago City Council member from his neighborhood
2nd Ward Alderman
Campaign Button

7. A little trouble with the law!
Stepped down as Alderman
Accused of involvement with Chicago’s Black Mob
Found Not Guilty!
NO WONDER! Guess who his lawyer was?

8. Returned to Politics Top Black Politician of Chicago
Under Mayor “Big Bill” Thompson

9. Large African American Neighborhoods = Large Voting Block
1920s, African Americans voted Republican
The “Party of Lincoln”
Democrats = Party of the South & Segregation
Chicago’s African Americans Elected Oscar De Priest as their Rep. to the House of Representatives
1920s – President Hoover

10. 1st African American Representative since days of Reconstruction
Why were there no more after Reconstruction until De Priest?
How were African Americans able to go to Congress from southern States during Reconstruction?

11. Represented Chicago’s Southside
So, how was De Priest elected from Chicago’s South Side?

12. Congressional Achievements
Introduced several Anti-Discrimination Bills – failed!
Introduced an Anti-Lynching Bill – would fine and imprison officials who allowed lynchings of prisoners – failed!
Amendment barring in the CCC – Passed & Signed by Pres. Roosevelt!
Bill to transfer trials to different area when could not get a fair trial – Passed!
Lincoln’s Birthday declared a holiday – Passed!
Pensions to elderly former slaves – Passed!

13. Defended His right to eat in the House Dining Room rather than behind kitchen!
Told an Alabama Senator “he wasn’t big enough to prevent him from dining in the Senate Restaurant!”

14. Appointed Black cadet to Military academy
Benjamin O. Davis Jr.
His father was the only black officer in the entire army
Received the “silent treatment” through WestPoint
Became a Tuskegee Airman
Became a General

15. His wife made national news
Tempest in a Teapot
Jessie De Priest

16. Invited to white house by activist First lady Lou Henry hoover
Determined to find a way to break color barrier at White House
Invited Congressman De Priest’s beautiful wife Jessie to a Congressmen’s Wives Tea
News Articles all over the nation
Hundreds of letters to the White House

17. A true republican He opposed Federal Aid to the Needy
Opposed taxes on the rich. (Why?)
Fought Depression Era Relief programs
Lost his seat in 1934 to Black Democratic opponent
Rep. Arthur W. Mitchell

18. Returned to serve Chicago
Served on City Council until 1947
Died at the age of 80
Had two sons
De Priest Home in Washington D.C.

19. another African American senator from Chicago's south side

20. Marcus garvey & black nationalism
A Different Kind of Voice

21. Called For Voluntary Separation
From Jamaica
Message of “Negro Nationalism”
Back to Africa Movement
Founded the UNIA – Universal Negro Improvement Association
Based in Harlem

22. UNIA Message – “Get Educated!”
Encouraged Black Pride & Unity
“Be Proud to be Black”
“Separate from White Society”
“Will never find justice in America!”
He would lead them back to Africa.

23. Appealed to Working Class African Americans
Held Convention of 50,000
Wore Uniforms
Marched in Harlem
Create new Settlement in Liberia, Africa
New Settlement concerned Britain & Africa
Members felt a part of something important

24. Movement Lost Strength
Middle Class African Americans & Intellectuals opposed him
FBI thought him dangerous, watched him
Convicted him of Mail Fraud
Sent to prison
His popularity led Pres. Coolidge to free him
On the condition he return to Jamaica
W.E.B. DuBois appealed to Middle Class African Americans & Professionals

25. Accomplishment - Inspired Millions of African Americans to have pride in their heritage
A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots.
A reading man and woman is a ready man and woman, but a writing man and woman is exact.
God and Nature first made us what we are, and then out of our own created genius we make ourselves what we want to be. Follow always that great law. Let the sky and God be our limit and Eternity our measurement.
If you have no confidence in self, you are twice defeated in the race of life.
Glorified Black Culture & Traditions of the African Past