A rising chorus of voices have called for redress and compensation to level the playing field for African Americans across all walks of life. A New History of Black Pittsburgh brings together humanities scholars, social service and social justice activists, and community residents to document multigenerational patterns of class and racial inequality and forge a comprehensive case for reparatory justice.
Focusing on industry's "first city," the authors draw on oral histories, archival research, and scholarship to examine more than two centuries of Pittsburgh's history. By featuring a city home to professional Negro League baseball teams, jazz artists, the Pittsburgh Courier, and acclaimed writers and playwrights, the authors show that recognizing ongoing creativity and community-building activities is just as vital for the case for reparations as documenting persistent forms of inequality. A New History of Black Pittsburgh offers insights and policy recommendations to inspire activists, educators, historians, and policymakers working to repair the damage of racial inequality around the globe.