Accommodation: The Politics of Race in an American City

The Accommodation is a powerful, long-repressed classic of Dallas history that examines the violent and suppressed history of race and racism in the city. It follows the story of Dallas from slavery through the Civil Rights Movement and the desegregation efforts in the 1950s and '60s.

Format: Hardback
Length: 272 pages
Publication date: 14 October 2021
Publisher: Deep Vellum Publishing

The Accommodation is a powerful and long-repressed classic of Dallas history that delves into the violent and suppressed history of race and racism in the city. Authored by renowned Dallas political journalist Jim Schutze, formerly of the Dallas Times Herald and Dallas Observer, and currently a columnist at D Magazine, The Accommodation chronicles the story of Dallas from its days of slavery through the Civil Rights Movement and the city's desegregation efforts in the 1950s and '60s. Renowned for its uninhibited and honest portrayal of institutional and structural racism in the city, Schutze's book argues that the desegregation period in Dallas came at a significant cost to Black leaders. After decades out of print and circulated underground, The Accommodation serves as a haunting reminder of the lengths an American city will go to preserve the white status quo.

Introduction:
The Accommodation is a seminal work of Dallas history that provides a comprehensive and deeply revealing account of the city's complex and often painful past. Written by Jim Schutze, a veteran political journalist with extensive experience covering the city's politics and society, the book offers a raw and unflinching exploration of the historical roots of race and racism in Dallas.

The Historical Context:
The Accommodation takes readers on a journey through Dallas's history, from its days as a slave-owning plantation town to the height of the Civil Rights Movement. Schutze provides a detailed account of the city's segregated institutions, including schools, hospitals, and public spaces, and the struggles and sacrifices made by Black and other marginalized communities in the fight for equality.

The Costs of Desegregation:
One of the book's most striking themes is the devastating impact of desegregation on Black leaders in Dallas. Schutze argues that the city's desegregation period came at a great cost to Black leaders, who were subjected to intense scrutiny, harassment, and violence from white supremacists and other opponents of change. Many Black leaders were forced to leave their positions or were marginalized and silenced by the ***** ***** structure, which sought to maintain the status quo.

The Legacy of The Accommodation:
Despite the challenges and hardships faced by Black leaders during the desegregation period, The Accommodation remains a powerful and important work of history. It serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggle for racial justice and equality in America and the importance of confronting the painful legacy of racism and discrimination. The book also provides a valuable insight into the political and social dynamics of Dallas during a critical period in its history.

Conclusion:
In conclusion, The Accommodation is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the history of Dallas and the ongoing struggle for racial justice in America. Jim Schutze's powerful and honest account of the city's past provides a valuable perspective on the challenges and sacrifices made by Black and other marginalized communities in the fight for equality. The book serves as a reminder of the importance of confronting the painful legacy of racism and discrimination and the ongoing struggle for a more just and equitable society.

Weight: 556g
Dimension: 162 x 237 x 28 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781646050963