The 1906 Atlanta Race Riot walking tour
Hey everyone!
Today is the 1906 Atlanta Race Riot mini walking tour. The tour is open to anyone and we will depart on foot starting at 10:15am. Tour starts/ends today in front of the Georgia State University center 55 Gilmer St. The tour will be 90-ish minutes, covering about two dozen city blocks throughout downtown Atlanta. We will be using a map + tour route from Emory University, visiting a few sites related to the 1906 Atlanta Race Riots
Why are you doing a walking tour?
We are doing this tour as a continuation of our Socially Distanced Book Club. A book club focused on history and stories about the city of Atlanta. Our book club entry for June-July, Rage in the Gate City by former Atlanta Magazine editor and UGA journalism professor Rebecca Burns was about The 1906 Atlanta Race Riot. The 1906 Atlanta Race Riot was also a special course I took at Georgia State University under the tutelage of former professors Dr. Akinyele Umoja and the late Cliff Kuhn. This is an abbreviated tour of their tour which has not been taken up by Dr. Umoja since Dr. Kuhn’s passing. The point of today’s tour is to get out a bit and see a little of Atlanta history!
What was the Atlanta Race Riot?
The Atlanta race riots were a three-day massacre taking place in Atlanta during a politically fraught 1906 Georgia governor’s race, resulting in one of the most profound cultural and political changes in Atlanta’s history.
The resulting post-riot Atlanta led to the establishment of a new racialized socio-political ecosystem which helped brought about the modern reputation of Atlanta that still exists today.
A couple of things:
There is no designated parking, so you would have to either take MARTA (Georgia State Station), use Uber/Lyft, walk, bike, or find street parking. The GSU student parking deck across the street is typically not made available for non-students/staff.
This is a walking tour downtown, please bring comfortable walking shoes.
After the tour, for those who want to hang out afterward, we will be going to the Georgia Beer Garden (420 Edgewood Avenue) afterward, outside of course.Â
MOST IMPORTANT:
I am a caregiver for someone who cannot take of themselves and is vulnerable. I will be wearing my mask and ask that if you are looking to get close to me or talk to me in close contact, please wear a mask. If you are unvaccinated, wear a mask if you plan on attending…your personal preference could kill someone I love.
If you don’t feel comfortable with mask-wearing do not come.
-KJW
P.S.
It’s okay if you haven’t read Rage in the Gate City as well as it’s okay if you aren’t that aware of the 1906 Atlanta Race Riot prior. This is a learning tour for everyone!