Wilmington's Lie (Winner of the 2021 Pulitzer Prize)

WINNER OF THE 2021 PULITZER PRIZE FOR GENERAL NONFICTION

Wilmington's Lie by David Zucchino offers a riveting exploration of a tragically overlooked episode in American history—the 1898 coup and massacre in Wilmington, North Carolina. It captures the depth of racial tensions in a city once hailed as a progressive example of integrated governance and community. Through a deft blend of historical research and compelling narrative, this book sheds light on an event that shattered the possibilities of a multicultural future and entrenched the oppressive force of white supremacy in the South.

Set in the waning years of the 19th century, Wilmington was North Carolina's largest city and a thriving example of racial harmony and political cooperation. It boasted a prosperous African American middle class and even had a government that merged Republican and Populist ideals in what was termed a Fusionist administration. This governance model included black aldermen, magistrates, and police officers, alongside thriving black-owned enterprises and the influential African American newspaper, The Record.

Yet, this illustration of a thriving diverse community was perceived as a threat by racist elements who were determined to dismantle the progress achieved since the end of slavery. A pivotal moment arose when an incendiary editorial by Alexander Manly, editor of The Record, boldly challenged prevailing racist stereotypes, igniting widespread outrage and calls for his lynching.

The white supremacist Democratic faction of North Carolina seized this moment, devising a nefarious plan to reclaim political control of the state by any means necessary. This faction was led by notable figures such as Josephus Daniels of the influential Raleigh newspaper and Alfred Moore Waddell, a former Confederate officer. They employed a strategic campaign of deceit, employing inflammatory rhetoric, fabricated news stories, and cartoons to stoke racial animosity and legitimize their power bid through both elections fraud and the looming threat of violence.

The culmination of their efforts bore fruit on November 8th, 1898, when these Democrats manipulated electoral processes to control the state legislature. In the days that followed, a mob of over 2,000 armed vigilantes, known as the Red Shirts, unleashed chaos on Wilmington, igniting a devastating attack on the African American community. This assault saw the destruction of The Record office, the terrorising of families, and the murder of at least sixty black men. Elected officials were ousted at gunpoint, replaced by those who had orchestrated the chaos, and many African Americans fled in fear for their lives.

The insurrection was a deliberate, charged act of racial violence, effectively reversing decades of progress and reinforcing institutionalised racism that would dominate the American South for generations. This coup stands as a chilling and rare instance of a violent overthrow of an elected government in the United States, cloaked under the misnomer of a "race riot" for years.

In this meticulously researched volume, Zucchino utilizes contemporary sources such as newspapers, diaries, letters, and official records to stitch together a gripping and multifaceted narrative. Through this poignant retelling, Wilmington's Lie elucidates the personal experiences of those engulfed by hatred, fear, and violence, carving out a dramatic and authoritative account that unveils a pivotal, yet neglected moment in American history.