Ballad of Robert Charles: Searching for the New Orleans Riot of 1900

In the summer of 1900, Robert Charles became infamous for killing two police officers and fleeing, leading to the Robert Charles riots. This book explores the history of the riots and the practice of history-writing, revealing evidence of intentional erasures and excavating long-hidden facts from the narratives passed down by white and black New Orleanians. It probes the possibilities and limitations of the historical imagination.

\n Format: Paperback / softback
\n Length: 264 pages
\n Publication date: 30 March 2021
\n Publisher: The University of North Carolina Press
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In the summer of 1900, Robert Charles became a notorious figure in the United States, known for his involvement in a series of events that shocked the nation. After an altercation with police on a New Orleans street, Charles killed two police officers and fled, sparking a massive manhunt that lasted for days. During the manhunt, violent white mobs roamed the city, assaulting African Americans and killing at least half a dozen. When authorities finally located Charles, he held off a crowd of thousands for hours before being shot to death.

The notorious episode was widely reported nationwide, and years later, jazz pianist Jelly Roll Morton recalled memorializing Charles in song. However, today, Charles is almost entirely invisible in the traditional historical record. Who was Robert Charles, really? An outlaw? A black freedom fighter? And how can we reconstruct his story?

In his book, "The Strange Career of Robert Charles: The Untold Story of the Robert Charles Riot and the New Orleans Story," K. Stephen Prince sheds fresh light on both the history of the Robert Charles riots and the practice of history-writing itself. He reveals evidence of intentional erasures, both in the ways the riot and its aftermath were chronicled and in the ways stories were silenced or purposefully obscured. Prince also excavates long-hidden facts from the narratives passed down by white and black New Orleanians over more than a century.

Through his meticulous research, Prince challenges the prevailing narratives and offers a more nuanced and complex understanding of Robert Charles and his role in the riots. He explores the social, political, and economic factors that contributed to the tensions and violence that erupted in New Orleans, and he examines the ways in which historical memory and storytelling shape our understanding of the past.

One of the key findings of Prince's book is that the Robert Charles riots were not just a one-off event but rather a culmination of decades of racial tensions and discrimination in New Orleans. He reveals how African Americans had been marginalized and oppressed in the city, with limited access to education, employment, and housing opportunities. The riot was a response to these conditions, as African Americans sought to assert their rights and dignity.

Prince also challenges the notion that Robert Charles was solely responsible for the violence that erupted during the riots. He argues that the police response to the situation was inadequate and that the white community also played a role in perpetuating racial tensions. He points out that the police had a history of brutality and discrimination against African Americans, and that the community had often ignored or condoned these practices.

In addition to his analysis of the riots, Prince also explores the ways in which historical memory and storytelling shape our understanding of the past. He argues that the dominant narratives of the riots have often been shaped by the interests of those in power, and that they have often obscured or marginalized the experiences and perspectives of African Americans. He suggests that a more inclusive and nuanced approach to history-writing is necessary to ensure that all voices are heard and that the full range of historical events and experiences are documented.

Overall, "The Strange Career of Robert Charles: The Untold Story of the Robert Charles Riot and the New Orleans Story" is a groundbreaking work that offers a fresh and compelling perspective on the history of the Robert Charles riots and the practice of history-writing itself. Through his meticulous research and thoughtful analysis, Prince challenges the prevailing narratives and offers a more nuanced and complex understanding of Robert Charles and his role in the riots. He provides a valuable contribution to our understanding of the past and the challenges we face today.

\n Weight: 366g\n
Dimension: 156 x 234 x 24 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9781469661827\n \n