Grassroots at the Gateway

This insightful work explores the black working class's critical role in the civil rights movement, revealing tensions with the black middle class. Grassroots at the Gateway is essential reading.

In Grassroots at the Gateway, award-winning historian Clarence Lang presents a new perspective on the role of the black working class in the civil rights movement. This comprehensive historical case study focuses on the African American liberation movements in St. Louis, illustrating how the mobilization of black workers from the Great Depression through the rise of Black Power shaped the landscape of activism. Lang argues that the achievements of earlier decades were often undermined by a black middle-class agenda, which prioritized the interests of black capitalists and politicians over the broader needs of the working class.

The book meticulously explores the dynamics between different social classes within the African American community, revealing that the struggles of the working class were not always aligned with those of their middle-class counterparts. Through extensive research, including oral histories, activist records, and archives from the black advocacy press, Grassroots at the Gateway uncovers the complexities of class politics in the fight for equality and justice. Lang's work challenges the notion of a unified black community, highlighting the tensions and distinct agendas that existed among various groups.

This groundbreaking study is a significant contribution to Black Freedom Studies, providing insights into the urban black working-class culture and its pivotal role in major social movements from the 1930s to the 1970s. Lang’s engaging writing style and thorough documentation make this book an essential resource for scholars and students interested in the intersections of race and class in American history.