Date on Senior Honors Thesis
5-2020
Document Type
Senior Honors Thesis
Degree Name
B.A.
Department
History
Degree Program
College of Arts and Sciences
Author's Keywords
Louisville, Kentucky; 1937 flood; race relations; collective memory
Abstract
This thesis focuses on race relations during the 1937 in Louisville. The dominant narrative of the 1937 flood in Louisville is that the city united while facing mutual adversity and rebuilding the city. In this story, the waters of the flood washed away any social or racial distinctions, rendering everyone equal during the crisis. Despite this popular narrative, the reality of race relations during the flood was much more complicated. Louisville’s race relations from the nineteenth century until well into the twentieth century have been described by historian George C. Wright as “polite racism.” This complex and unequal relationship between whites and African Americans persisted throughout the flood. This thesis examines the popular memory of the flood and challenges it by focusing on the experiences of African Americans during the event.
Recommended Citation
Standridge, Elizabeth J., "Race relations during the 1937 flood: confronting polite racism, identity, and collective memory in Louisville." (2020). College of Arts & Sciences Senior Honors Theses. Paper 233.
Retrieved from https://ir.library.louisville.edu/honors/233
Lay Summary
The narrative of the 1937 flood in Louisville is that the city united during the crisis and everyone, regardless of race or class, was treated equally. Despite this popular narrative, the reality of race relations during the flood was much more complicated. Louisville’s complex and unequal relationship between whites and African Americans persisted throughout the flood. This thesis examines the popular narrative of the flood and challenges it by focusing on race relations during the event.
