Adam Serwer: Today in there’s nothing new under the sun: In 1903 a white hotel worker became a right wing celebrity for being fired after refusing to make booker t washington’s bed because he was black and a bunch of people around the country raised thousands of dollars on her behalf

Today in there’s nothing new under the sun: In 1903 a white hotel worker became a right wing celebrity for being fired after refusing to make booker t washington’s bed because he was black and a bunch of people around the country raised thousands of dollars on her behalf

During the Dreyfus Affair, the 1st big domino to fall was Hubert Henry, who was caught red handed forging evidence, arrested, and committed suicide in his jail cell In response, the right-wing media set up a fundraiser for his widow, where donors could put a message in the newspaper, and, well:

(compare eg with the doctor who was just charged with criminal HIPAA violations and has already raised boatloads of cash off of it)

... of course Rufo is involved. 🙄

Well that’s today’s good feeling stamped into bits, thank you.

@alt-text.bsky.social

that was a horrifying read.

In case you didn’t see it: bsky.app/profile/torr...

Reggie Jackson reflects on racism he faced while playing baseball in Alabama in mid-1960s. He speaks of discrimination, w/ ppl calling him the n-word and not letting him eat at their restaurant or stay at their hotel. He says he only got thru it due to support from his [white] teammates & manager.

Plus ca change...

For context, an online inflation calculator (others are available, some more official, but many don't claim to go earlier than 1913) says $1000 in 1903 is roughly $35,000 today. Racism pays.

The Inflation Calculatorwestegg.com The following form adjusts any given amount of money for inflation, according to the Consumer Price Index, from 1800 to 2022. Enjoy!

Half the MAGA crowd would donate today if Fox News ran the story complete with the date.

Do you happen to have a citation or link to a news story at hand? I'd love to incorporate that into a lecture.

Her name is Louise Hadley, if you have access to a database it will be easy to find

Awesome! Thanks!

Hmmm...

Forgot to note... from The News and Advance, Lynchburg, Virginia, Sunday, 5 July 1903

If this is true the historical resonance of the story as a model for modern grifting is even stronger

Louise the Plumber

A tale as old as time

"a much more menial capacity" 🤔

This is so … extremely probable

So she was a right wing grifter lol.

So, even more to the point?

Oh shit……

Ok…..her full name was Lulu Spencer Wood Hadley (maybe a few more). She was from Anna, Illinois, a well documented sundown town. The town’s name, Anna, is an acronym for a racist threat.

This does not seem accessible (vintage newspapers scanned in by state gov't), but the Indianapolis Recorder, June 20, 1903, has it on page 1: Chambermaid Loses Suit (Hadley had sued the hotel for $5000, and the Washington incident is mentioned.) newspapers.library.in.gov?a=d&d=INR190...

Indianapolis Recorder 20 June 1903 — Hoosier State Chronicles: Indiana's Digital Historic Newspaper ProgramNavigation menuHoosier State Chronicles: Indiana's Digital Historic Newspaper ProgramHide inf...newspapers.library.in.gov Hoosier State Chronicles: Indiana's Digital Historic Newspaper Program

😕

The Riot Report on 'American Experience' told the story of the federal govt's investigation into what caused the civil unrest of the 60s in the nation's 'inner cities.' They concluded the cause was entrenched white racism. The report was buried and no action was taken, as usual. Same as it ever was

Yep, that’s the Kerner Commission report. Little follow-through despite clear and convincing evidence of the root causes.

Sounds about white.

Unfuckingbelievable. I'm sickened, because even in 2024 this country STILL cannot outgrow their racism. They say "We read our Bibles!" "We love Jesus" and "Democrats hate (fill in the blank.) to which this Dem says "I will feed you, house you, clothe you all." yet Republicans call us heathen.

I hate this world.

For me, it’s Not the World Just some of the people in it 🙄

💯 agreed

but why do they always seem so prevalent?

Because far too many find it comforting to assume that their numbers are far fewer than countless.

It’s a real right wing grievance festival of a story: www.sharynemery.com/booker-t-was...

Booker T. Washington Checks Out of a Hotel…www.sharynemery.com 1903 was a particularly difficult year for African Americans, as described in Douglas Blackmon’s book, Slavery by Another Name: The Re-Enslavement of Black Americans from the Civil War to Wor…

I wonder what state it. . Oooh Indiana. Makes absolute sense.

The nausea this inspired was world class

SMDH

And your point is what, exactly? In Chicago in 2023, there were 568 homicides, nearly every one of them black-on-black violence. Talk about that.

Do you know how crime works?

You apparently do not. Crime is a CHOICE.

Everyone knows it's a choice, but you don't know HOW it works and why.

I know exactly HOW it works. Absent and/or dug addicted parents. It's a viscous cycle the liberal left refuse to look at or take seriously. The family is the foundation of society, yet you all treat it like a poison.

And you simple twat waffles think that it only applies to one specific race. You forgot to check your right-wing dumbassery at the door before coming here. You're that guy that yells at clouds and are a complete waste of my time.

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