Known as the "Roaring Twenties," the 1920s were a pivotal time in American history marked by significant social, cultural, and economic shifts. Significant developments occurred during this decade, such as the standardization of manufacturing, the quick spread of automobiles, phones, and radios, and the emergence of jazz music, which sparked a vibrant cultural movement. During the Prohibition era, speakeasies were a major part of social life. The Harlem Renaissance, which honored African American artistic, musical, and literary innovation, had a significant impact on American society. But these successes were accompanied by widespread hate, and nativism—a social movement that aimed to force immigrants to adopt a limited American identity—rose to prominence.
There were also significant repercussions from the Prohibition era and its subsequent repeal. For example, jazz singer Billie Holiday, who was a trailblazer from the 1930s to the 1950s, utilized her voice to challenge white supremacy and raise awareness of racial injustice. Her song "Strange Fruit," which sparked controversy and opposition, was a clear condemnation of racism and lynching in America. The Federal Bureau of Narcotics (FBN), led by Harry Anslinger, who was a fervently racist and radical individual even in his day, targeted her because of her audacity. Anslinger focused on the emerging War on Drugs after Prohibition ended. He saw Holiday's drug abuse, which was mostly caused by a difficult upbringing, as a chance to quiet and discredit her.
She was constantly detained by the FBN on drug-related accusations, which led to a traumatizing and incarcerating cycle that continued until her premature death. Her legacy as a protest artist is still strong and significant in spite of the difficulties she encountered.
The 1920s were also clouded by the emergence of the Eugenics movement. This movement, which targeted people who were thought to be "feebleminded" or "unfit" to reproduce, advocated forcible sterilization. The Supreme Court affirmed Virginia's Eugenical Sterilization Act in the well-known Buck v. Bell decision. The case centered on Carrie Buck, a young woman institutionalized after being wrongfully labeled as "feebleminded" by her foster family, who sought to silence her after their sexual abuse of her resulted in a pregnancy. Medical professionals used the case to bolster their eugenics arguments, claiming that Buck’s mother’s supposed mental deficiencies justified sterilization. The Court decided in favor of state-enforced sterilization to "protect" the public welfare in a contentious ruling. Over 70,000 people were obliged to get sterilized as a result of this ruling, which gave sterilization programs nationwide more confidence. Human rights violations and injustice were left in their wake as some regimes even attempted to imprison those deemed unfit until they were past childbearing age.
Gross, Terry. The Supreme Court Ruling That Led to 70,000 Forced Sterilization. Fresh Air. 7 March 2016. NPR.
Abdelfatah, Rund & Arablouei, Ramtin. The United States vs. Billie Holiday. Throughline. 8 October 2020. NPR. Podcast link.
PBS News Hour. PBS. 22 July 2019. YouTube Video.
There were also significant repercussions from the Prohibition era and its subsequent repeal. For example, jazz singer Billie Holiday, who was a trailblazer from the 1930s to the 1950s, utilized her voice to challenge white supremacy and raise awareness of racial injustice. Her song "Strange Fruit," which sparked controversy and opposition, was a clear condemnation of racism and lynching in America. The Federal Bureau of Narcotics (FBN), led by Harry Anslinger, who was a fervently racist and radical individual even in his day, targeted her because of her audacity. Anslinger focused on the emerging War on Drugs after Prohibition ended. He saw Holiday's drug abuse, which was mostly caused by a difficult upbringing, as a chance to quiet and discredit her.
She was constantly detained by the FBN on drug-related accusations, which led to a traumatizing and incarcerating cycle that continued until her premature death. Her legacy as a protest artist is still strong and significant in spite of the difficulties she encountered.
The 1920s were also clouded by the emergence of the Eugenics movement. This movement, which targeted people who were thought to be "feebleminded" or "unfit" to reproduce, advocated forcible sterilization. The Supreme Court affirmed Virginia's Eugenical Sterilization Act in the well-known Buck v. Bell decision. The case centered on Carrie Buck, a young woman institutionalized after being wrongfully labeled as "feebleminded" by her foster family, who sought to silence her after their sexual abuse of her resulted in a pregnancy. Medical professionals used the case to bolster their eugenics arguments, claiming that Buck’s mother’s supposed mental deficiencies justified sterilization. The Court decided in favor of state-enforced sterilization to "protect" the public welfare in a contentious ruling. Over 70,000 people were obliged to get sterilized as a result of this ruling, which gave sterilization programs nationwide more confidence. Human rights violations and injustice were left in their wake as some regimes even attempted to imprison those deemed unfit until they were past childbearing age.
Gross, Terry. The Supreme Court Ruling That Led to 70,000 Forced Sterilization. Fresh Air. 7 March 2016. NPR.
Abdelfatah, Rund & Arablouei, Ramtin. The United States vs. Billie Holiday. Throughline. 8 October 2020. NPR. Podcast link.
PBS News Hour. PBS. 22 July 2019. YouTube Video.