Racially Motivated Random Violence Papers

Collection

Identifier: 0000-0000-0000-0173

Staff Only

Scope and contents

The Racially Motivated Random Violence Papers spans the dates 1946-1987, with the bulk of the material dated from 1980-1983. The collection contains correspondence from people who wanted to receive copies of the publications such as American singer/songwriter Pete Seeger, committee records such as the affilated writing or communcation organization like the Southern Collective of African Americans Writers. It also contains newspaper clipping of police, civilian, and Klan or white supremacist group violence on black people, notes and/or rough drafts of the publication Racially Motivated Random Violence, as well as the 3 volumes.

Dates

Creation: 1946-1987

Rights Statement

All materials in this collection are either protected by copyrights or are property of the Robert. W. Woodruff Library of the Atlanta University Center, Inc., and/or the copyrigt holder as appropriate. For more information, please contact archives@auctr.edu.

Historical note

Racially Motivated Random Violence was a publication with the goal of highlightening the random racial violence in different part of the United States, particularly in the deep south.

Imani Claiborne, editor and publisher of the publication, one day in 1979 made an impromptu stop in Morton, Mississipi along with a friend. There, they began talking with the people of the community about some of the issues they were dealing with. One event in particular, was the death of an urarmed black men by a white police, who was shot upon exiting a store. This made Claiborne wonder about other violent incidents in cities or towns across the United States that didn't make it to national or even local news or newspapers. In 1981, Claiborne edited and published the first issue of the publication. Its focus was the lynching of Michael A. Donald. She went on to publish 3 volume of material that highlights the violence people across the south and other parts of the US. The last issue was published in 1983.

Extent

2.25 Linear feet (4 manuscripts boxes )

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Arrangement

The collection is divided into 4 series: Correspondences, Committee Records, Newspaper Clippings, and printed material. It is arrange in chronological order.