"A Lesson in Geography," Raleigh News and Observer, June 26, 1900

"A Lesson in Geography," Raleigh News and Observer, June 26, 1900

This cartoon by Norman Jennett appeared in the Raleigh News and Observer, a Democratic newspaper, on June 26, 1900. Jennett depicted the state of North Carolina as a caricatured African-American man surround by white states which had already disfranchised African Americans or, in the case of Virginia, were in the process of doing so. The image suggested not only the fact that other Southern states had successfully adopted disfranchisement but, more importantly, that if North Carolina failed to do so it could become a bastion of “negro domination” in a sea of white supremacy. Some proponents of the Suffrage Amendment argued that if North Carolina failed to act, disfranchised African Americans from across the South might flock to the state so that they could exercise political power. This cartoon provided a visual representation of this idea, which was designed to push white voters into voting to disfranchise African Americans.

Norman Ethre Jennett

Norman Ethre Jennett, "A Lesson in Geography," Raleigh News and Observer, June 26, 1900, North Carolina State University Libraries, Raleigh, North Carolina, Microfilm.

1900--06-26

Erin Glant

Document

Raleigh, North Carolina

Wake County, North Carolina

Cartoon

A LESSON IN GEOGRAPHY

VIRGINIA CONVENTION CALLED TO DISFRANCHISE ALL NEGROES

TENNESSEE NEGROES HAVE NO VOICE IN POLITICS

GEORGIA NEGROES NOT IN IT

SOUTH CAROLINA ALL NEGROES DISFRANCHISED