The Weight of the Story: Re-examining the American Coup and the Journalist's Dilemma
The act of journalism is a double-edged sword. It is a commitment to truth, a mirror held up to society, but it can also be a painful endeavor that forces one to confront the darkest aspects of history and current events. As a journalist, one often wonders: Is the telling of this story, no matter how difficult, a force for good or a source of renewed pain?
This complex contemplation resurfaced recently during the promotion of the powerful PBS documentary, "The American Coup." The film brings to light a profoundly unsettling chapter in American history, specifically the 1898 Wilmington Insurrection (or Coup d'État) in North Carolina. This event, often suppressed or sanitized in history books, was a violent overthrow of a legally elected, biracial local government by a mob of white supremacists. It systematically destroyed Black-owned businesses, Black political power, and Black inventors' achievements, resulting in the murder of countless Black citizens and the exile of many more. It was, undeniably, an act of terrorism that erased a thriving Black community's progress.
A Vital Reintroduction to History
I was honored to assist in the local promotion of "The American Coup," which brought together a remarkable assembly of attendees, including members of the Delta Sigma Theta and Omega Psi Phi fraternities, Mayor Jason Hayes was in attendance as well as distinguished scholars like John Biewen of Duke University and Pastor Dr. Beverly of St. Stevens. The event served not merely as a film screening but as an essential historical reckoning.
The story of Wilmington in 1898—a city where Black people held positions of power and entrepreneurship flourished—is a stark reminder of the fragile nature of progress and the violent reaction it can provoke. This destruction of Black wealth and governance mirrors the devastation seen in other tragedies, such as the Tulsa Race Massacre (incorrectly referenced as the "Central Park Massacre" in New York). These are not isolated incidents; they are vital pieces of a shared history that, when suppressed, leave gaping holes in our understanding of the present.
The Call to Community and Education
The importance of knowing and understanding this history cannot be overstated, particularly within the African American community. We must educate ourselves and our children. It's one thing to learn the information—to read the dates and names—but another entirely to understand its significance, to grasp how the historical roots of racial violence and economic disenfranchisement continue to impact our society today.
As a resident of Davidson County, I admit a twinge of disappointment that the turnout from the local African American community wasn't higher. The opportunity to witness a meticulously researched film on such a critical topic is a rare gift, and these stories are the bedrock of communal strength.
However, the lesson extends far beyond one demographic. Community is strength. A community that is undivided is a powerful community, regardless of the color of a person’s skin. We are living in an interracial world where every culture matters. I encourage everyone to get involved, to learn about each other's histories, and to embrace the challenges of self- and community-education.
The Journalist's Resolution
So, is being a journalist a good thing or a bad thing? When the story is difficult, the path is challenging, but the answer remains clear: It is a necessary good. Our role is to excavate the truth from the rubble of forgotten history, to give voice to the wronged, and to challenge the comfortable silence that allows injustice to persist.
We all have the same 24 hours in a day. How we choose to spend that time—whether in ignorance or in the pursuit of knowledge and communal action—defines our legacy.
Enough time has already passed, it’s never too late to educate yourself.
Best,
Thomas Martin Sr
