In the late nineteenth century; many Central American governments and countries sought to fill low-paying jobs and develop their economies by recruiting black American and West Indian laborers. Frederick Opie offers a revisionist interpretation of these workers; who were often depicted as simple victims with little; if any; enduring legacy.The Guatemalan government sought to build an extensive railroad system in the 1880s; and actively recruited foreign labor. For poor workers of African descent; immigrating to Guatemala was seen as an opportunity to improve their lives and escape from the racism of the Jim Crow U.S. South and the French and British colonial Caribbean.Using primary and secondary sources as well as ethnographic data; Opie details the struggles of these workers who were ultimately inspired to organize by the ideas of Marcus Garvey. Regularly suffering class- and race-based attacks and persecution; black laborers frequently met such attacks with resistance. Their leverage--being able to shut down the railroad--was crucially important to the revolutionary movements in 1897 and 1920.
#200649 in Books University Press of Florida 2001-11-30Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.24 x 1.12 x 6.26l; 1.28 #File Name: 0813021200288 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. recieved properlyBy Laureen T Deerr-Matosgood condition0 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Need to ReadBy Ted BrownsteinWell researched and factual history of the dark side that we must never forget lest we be liable to repeat.1 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Simply the best book on the KKK in Florida.By Paul D. HarvillSimply the best book on the KKK in Florida. To the best of my knowledge the only book that focuses primarily on Florida.Another excellent book; regarding the struggle for civil rights in Tallahassee; including the bus boycott; the third bus boycott in the South; and arguably the most succesful; is "The Pain and the Promise"; by Glenda Alice Rabby -- available at too.I am conducting research and investigation regarding the KKK in the Tallahassee; Florida area. At auction was a lot of original documents from the Tallahassee KKK Lucky 13 Club from 1949 to 1955; including names; addresses; secret numbers; etc.At the Forums section of the Tallahassee Democrat newspaper's website is a thread regarding the Tallahassee KKK under the National/International section with the title of "The Ku Klux Klan in Tallahassee area from 1949 to 1955 ...."If you have information that could assist my research and investigations; please mail to:Paul D. HarvillP.O. Box 38458Tallahassee; FL 32315-8458Thank you so very much in advance.
