Bass and Beyond
Searching for Peace and Place
Discover how Black newspaper editors played a key role in the Great Migration, using their publications to inspire and persuade Black families to move West in search of greater opportunity.
Searching for Peace and Place
The Great Migration, spanning from roughly 1910 to 1970, saw over six million African Americans leave the rural South for urban centers across the United States. While most historical accounts focus on the migration to northern cities like Chicago and Detroit, a significant number of Black migrants ventured westward to California, Oregon, and Washington. Enticed by economic opportunities, promises of better living conditions, and the chance to escape the harsh racism of the South, many Black Americans reshaped the cultural and economic fabric of the West Coast. However, they also encountered systemic racism in their new homes, often fueled by exclusionary laws and white supremacist attitudes.
The Role of Black Media
Black newspapers and journals were instrumental in drawing Black families to the West Coast. Publications like The California Eagle, The Northwest Enterprise in Seattle, and The Portland Advocate provided critical information about opportunities for housing, employment, and community building. Founded in 1914, The California Eagle under Charlotta Bass became one of the most prominent voices encouraging Black migration to California. It published stories celebrating the achievements of Black professionals and entrepreneurs on the West Coast, painting a picture of possibility and hope.
Similarly, The Northwest Enterprise offered practical advice for new arrivals in Washington, including how to navigate housing discrimination and join local organizations. Black media outlets not only promoted the opportunities available out West but also highlighted the challenges of racism, urging migrants to organize and resist.
Employment Opportunities
Economic prospects were a primary driver for Black migration to the West Coast. The burgeoning shipbuilding, defense, and agriculture industries during World War I and World War II created a massive demand for labor. Migrants often found work in shipyards in cities like Oakland and Seattle, aircraft factories in Los Angeles, or on the docks of San Francisco. California’s agricultural sector also drew Black laborers, particularly to the fertile Central Valley.
While these jobs offered higher wages than those in the South, Black workers were often relegated to the most dangerous and lowest-paying positions. Additionally, unions in these industries frequently excluded Black workers, forcing them to form their own labor organizations, such as the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, to advocate for fair treatment.
Legislative Harassment and Racism
Despite the promise of opportunity, Black migrants faced intense legislative harassment and systemic racism upon arrival. Oregon’s constitution explicitly barred Black people from residing in the state until 1926. In Seattle, restrictive covenants prohibited Black families from buying homes in white neighborhoods, forcing them to settle in the Central District. California, while offering broader opportunities, saw its share of racial violence and exclusionary practices, such as redlining and segregated schools.
The influx of Black residents also met with hostility from white residents and lawmakers. Zoning laws and police harassment targeted Black communities, while groups like the Ku Klux Klan were active in Oregon and parts of Washington. However, Black communities organized to resist these measures, forming NAACP chapters and using the power of the Black press to expose and challenge injustices.
Legacy of Resilience
The Great Migration transformed the social and economic landscape of the West Coast. Black communities in Los Angeles, Oakland, Seattle, and Portland became hubs of culture and resistance, giving rise to influential artists, activists, and movements. While legislative harassment and racism persisted, the resilience and determination of these early migrants laid the groundwork for future generations to thrive in the face of adversity. Through media, labor organizing, and community solidarity, Black West Coast migrants turned the promise of opportunity into a legacy of perseverance and progress.