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Uncovering the Hidden Histories of African American Domestics in Washington, 1910-1940

Gustavo Cox

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Published in Living In Living Out: African American Domestics In Washington D C 1910 1940

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In the heart of the nation's capital, during the tumultuous decades of the early 20th century, African American women played a vital but often overlooked role in the daily lives of the city's elite. As domestics, they worked tirelessly in the homes of white families, providing essential services that kept households running smoothly.

Living In, Living Out: African American Domestics in Washington, D.C., 1910-1940

by Elizabeth Clark-Lewis

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	11420 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	257 pages

Now, their stories are finally being brought to light in a groundbreaking new book, African American Domestics in Washington, 1910-1940, by Dr. Tera Hunter. Through meticulous research and poignant oral histories, Dr. Hunter paints a vivid portrait of these women's lives, revealing the challenges they faced and the resilience they demonstrated.

A City of Contrasts

Washington, D.C., in the early 20th century was a city of stark contrasts. The city's grand monuments and bustling government buildings stood in stark contrast to the segregated and impoverished neighborhoods where most African Americans lived.

For African American women, employment options were severely limited. Domestic work was one of the few jobs open to them, but it came with its own set of challenges. Domestics were often treated as second-class citizens, subjected to low pay, long hours, and harsh working conditions.

Domestics and Their Employers

The relationships between domestics and their employers were complex and often fraught with tension. Domestics were acutely aware of their subordinate status, but they also developed strategies for navigating the power dynamics of the household.

Some domestics formed close relationships with their employers, while others maintained a more distant relationship. But no matter the nature of the relationship, domestics always had to be mindful of the racial and social barriers that separated them from their employers.

A Hidden History

The experiences of African American domestics in Washington, D.C., have long been hidden from history. They were often dismissed as unimportant or unworthy of study. But Dr. Hunter's research has uncovered the rich and complex lives of these women.

Through oral histories, census records, and other sources, Dr. Hunter has pieced together the stories of individual domestics, revealing their struggles, their triumphs, and their everyday lives.

A Vital Contribution

The work of African American domestics in Washington, D.C., was essential to the functioning of the city. They provided a vital service to white families, allowing them to maintain their households and pursue their careers.

But beyond their economic contribution, domestics also played an important role in shaping the social and cultural landscape of the city. They were often the only African Americans that white families interacted with on a regular basis, and they helped to break down racial barriers, albeit slowly.

African American Domestics in Washington, 1910-1940 is a groundbreaking work that sheds new light on the hidden histories of these remarkable women. Through meticulous research and poignant oral histories, Dr. Hunter has given voice to their experiences, revealing the challenges they faced and the resilience they demonstrated.

This book is a must-read for anyone interested in African American history, labor history, or the history of Washington, D.C. It is a powerful reminder of the vital contributions that African Americans have made to our nation's history, even in the most hidden and unappreciated ways.

To Free Download your copy of African American Domestics in Washington, 1910-1940, please visit the following link:

https://www.Our Book Library.com/African-American-Domestics-Washington-1910-1940/dp/0807849117

Living In, Living Out: African American Domestics in Washington, D.C., 1910-1940

by Elizabeth Clark-Lewis

4.5 out of 5