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The Resource Race, riots, and roller coasters : the struggle over segregated recreation in America, Victoria W. Wolcott

Race, riots, and roller coasters : the struggle over segregated recreation in America, Victoria W. Wolcott

Creator
Summary
"Throughout the twentieth century, African Americans challenged segregation at amusement parks, swimming pools, and skating rinks not only in pursuit of pleasure but as part of a wider struggle for racial equality. Well before the Montgomery bus boycott, mothers led their children into segregated amusement parks, teenagers congregated at forbidden swimming pools, and church groups picnicked at white-only parks. But too often white mobs attacked those who dared to transgress racial norms. In Race, Riots, and Roller Coasters, Victoria W. Wolcott tells the story of this battle for access to leisure space in cities all over the United States. Contradicting the nostalgic image of urban leisure venues as democratic spaces, Wolcott reveals that racial segregation was crucial to their appeal. Parks, pools, and playgrounds offered city dwellers room to exercise, relax, and escape urban cares. These gathering spots also gave young people the opportunity to mingle, flirt, and dance. As cities grew more diverse, these social forms of fun prompted white insistence on racially exclusive recreation. Wolcott shows how black activists and ordinary people fought such infringements on their right to access public leisure. In the face of violence and intimidation, they swam at white-only beaches, boycotted discriminatory roller rinks, and picketed Jim Crow amusement parks. When African Americans demanded inclusive public recreational facilities, white consumers abandoned those places. Many parks closed or privatized within a decade of desegregation. Wolcott's book tracks the decline of the urban amusement park and the simultaneous rise of the suburban theme park, reframing these shifts within the civil rights context. Filled with detailed accounts and powerful insights, Race, Riots, and Roller Coasters brings to light overlooked aspects of conflicts over public accommodations. This eloquent history demonstrates the significance of leisure in American race relations."--Jacket
Language
eng
Work
Publication
Edition
1st ed.
Extent
310 pages
Contents
  • A tarnished Golden Age: race and recreation before World War II
  • The fifth freedom: racial liberalism, nonviolence, and recreation riots in the 1940s
  • "A northern city with a southern exposure": challenging recreational segregation in the 1950s
  • Violence in the city of good neighbors: delinquency and consumer rights in the postwar city
  • Building a national movement: students confront recreational segregation
  • "Riotland": race and the decline of urban amusements
Isbn
9780812223286
Instance
Label
Race, riots, and roller coasters : the struggle over segregated recreation in America
Title
Race, riots, and roller coasters
Title remainder
the struggle over segregated recreation in America
Statement of responsibility
Victoria W. Wolcott
Creator
Subject
Genre
Language
eng
Summary
"Throughout the twentieth century, African Americans challenged segregation at amusement parks, swimming pools, and skating rinks not only in pursuit of pleasure but as part of a wider struggle for racial equality. Well before the Montgomery bus boycott, mothers led their children into segregated amusement parks, teenagers congregated at forbidden swimming pools, and church groups picnicked at white-only parks. But too often white mobs attacked those who dared to transgress racial norms. In Race, Riots, and Roller Coasters, Victoria W. Wolcott tells the story of this battle for access to leisure space in cities all over the United States. Contradicting the nostalgic image of urban leisure venues as democratic spaces, Wolcott reveals that racial segregation was crucial to their appeal. Parks, pools, and playgrounds offered city dwellers room to exercise, relax, and escape urban cares. These gathering spots also gave young people the opportunity to mingle, flirt, and dance. As cities grew more diverse, these social forms of fun prompted white insistence on racially exclusive recreation. Wolcott shows how black activists and ordinary people fought such infringements on their right to access public leisure. In the face of violence and intimidation, they swam at white-only beaches, boycotted discriminatory roller rinks, and picketed Jim Crow amusement parks. When African Americans demanded inclusive public recreational facilities, white consumers abandoned those places. Many parks closed or privatized within a decade of desegregation. Wolcott's book tracks the decline of the urban amusement park and the simultaneous rise of the suburban theme park, reframing these shifts within the civil rights context. Filled with detailed accounts and powerful insights, Race, Riots, and Roller Coasters brings to light overlooked aspects of conflicts over public accommodations. This eloquent history demonstrates the significance of leisure in American race relations."--Jacket
Member of
Cataloging source
PU/DLC
http://library.link/vocab/creatorName
Wolcott, Victoria W
Illustrations
  • illustrations
  • maps
Index
index present
Literary form
non fiction
Nature of contents
bibliography
Series statement
Politics and culture in modern America
http://library.link/vocab/subjectName
  • African Americans
  • African Americans
  • Recreation
  • African Americans
  • United States
  • African Americans
  • African Americans
  • African Americans
  • Race relations
  • Recreation
  • United States
Label
Race, riots, and roller coasters : the struggle over segregated recreation in America, Victoria W. Wolcott
Instantiates
Publication
Bibliography note
Includes bibliographical references and index
Carrier category
volume
Carrier category code
  • nc
Carrier MARC source
rdacarrier
Content category
text
Content type code
  • txt
Content type MARC source
rdacontent
Contents
A tarnished Golden Age: race and recreation before World War II -- The fifth freedom: racial liberalism, nonviolence, and recreation riots in the 1940s -- "A northern city with a southern exposure": challenging recreational segregation in the 1950s -- Violence in the city of good neighbors: delinquency and consumer rights in the postwar city -- Building a national movement: students confront recreational segregation -- "Riotland": race and the decline of urban amusements
Control code
ocn775099426
Dimensions
24 cm.
Edition
1st ed.
Extent
310 pages
Isbn
9780812223286
Lccn
2012002588
Media category
unmediated
Media MARC source
rdamedia
Media type code
  • n
Other control number
40021272400
Other physical details
illustrations, map
Label
Race, riots, and roller coasters : the struggle over segregated recreation in America, Victoria W. Wolcott
Publication
Bibliography note
Includes bibliographical references and index
Carrier category
volume
Carrier category code
  • nc
Carrier MARC source
rdacarrier
Content category
text
Content type code
  • txt
Content type MARC source
rdacontent
Contents
A tarnished Golden Age: race and recreation before World War II -- The fifth freedom: racial liberalism, nonviolence, and recreation riots in the 1940s -- "A northern city with a southern exposure": challenging recreational segregation in the 1950s -- Violence in the city of good neighbors: delinquency and consumer rights in the postwar city -- Building a national movement: students confront recreational segregation -- "Riotland": race and the decline of urban amusements
Control code
ocn775099426
Dimensions
24 cm.
Edition
1st ed.
Extent
310 pages
Isbn
9780812223286
Lccn
2012002588
Media category
unmediated
Media MARC source
rdamedia
Media type code
  • n
Other control number
40021272400
Other physical details
illustrations, map

Subject

Genre

Member of

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