East Saint Louis Massacre of 1917 | Living St. Louis

[@alexmccarter6051]

Its so sad this is so forgotten. All people see east stl as is just a decaying crime ridden place you see from highway 55 there's so much more history than that.

[@michaelwhite2823]

@Buck Rogers Not as long as it can be used as an excuse for the present.

[@RestlessPro]

It’s not forgotten if we were never taught this 😢… This is why we have to teach our own. I’m 25 & has never knew why East St Louis was the was it is. SAD 😔

[@beatricejethroe3371]

Please share that with our children in East St louis schools, please let each child see this, make it mandatory, I'm 53 and I never heard or seen this until December 4, 2021, I am a citizen of East St louis, went to school there. We need this to be shown to our children, maybe this can bring us back together and build East St louis stronger.

[@ThatCarGuy1983]

Why so they can riot again? You trying to incite violence?

[@Michadoo]

Thank you for telling this story. The racism of the U.S. is always focused on the South. Take a look at your own cities, Midwest, West, Northeast. It's everywhere.

[@caseymckinney4101]

Shut up

[@miapdx503]

Most US towns and cities have at least one horrific incident...😞

[@ThatCarGuy1983]

Yes everywhere groups blacks attack whites daily yes it is everywhere..

[@dillonmiller956]

I’m pissed off that I’m 36 years old and just started learning about this and events like it such as Tulsa. This is a critical part of our history that should have been told in our history classrooms. Ignoring this part of the past is simply unacceptable, no matter how uncomfortable it may make a person to be forced to look a little deeper into the mirror and realize who they really are and where they truly come from.

[@lumpythefish]

What good can possibly come from teaching children about the hateful things that happened 100 years ago?

[@ralphjackson8295]

@@lumpythefish those who refuse to remember the past are doomed to repeat it.

[@69eddieD]

@@lumpythefish Hateful things are still happening today. Just look in the mirror.

[@lumpythefish]

@@69eddieD Calling me names ain't an answer to the question I asked. I looked in the mirror and saw you standing behind me so.... you the hateful one. I pray the devil loosens his grip on your heart Eddie. Peace.

[@ShanDarkmatter]

@@lumpythefish It can drown out noise from people like you, for starters.

[@sweetipi3800]

You can throw or burn books but the History will always be there. So one will tell the story.

[@angelacarr2849]

🎯❤🙌🏾

[@ralphjackson8295]

My granny (great grandmother) on my dads side, survived the ESL massacre. To this day we still own the house on Tudor that my great grandfather built. I heard some really horrible stories about those three days in July 1917. Bodies beaten and or burned so badly, if it wasn't for the clothes you wouldn't know if it was a man or woman. People running to the bridge to escape only to run into a white mob of men with guns killing them off, one by one.. Bodies washing up on the banks of the Mississippi for weeks after. Total madness.

[@lumpythefish]

What started this riot?

[@moneysnappin]

@@lumpythefish white people being white people !

[@michaelwall1721]

😢

[@stevejohnson5477]

I've never heard that before I don't know what to say I'm white and I'm very sorry

[@ralphjackson8295]

@@stevejohnson5477 You have nothing to be sorry for. You had nothing to do with it. Just remember it and share it with others so we never see it happen again.

[@Betharooni530]

Wow! I was born in ESL in the 60s, am now 60 yrs old & had no idea about this. How awful!

[@ericfreeman1303]

I think this hidden history should be taught to the young black youth.Maybe some of our youth would take note that we should stop hurting each other & preserve life before pulling a gun. Stop The Violence 🛑

[@paisley1134]

To stop the violence and hurting of others this must be taught to all youth. Not just black youth. How can you expect races to know how horrific these things are if they are not all taught?

[@namseer]

We need to stop idiotic, thinly veiled racist comments by white conservatives.

[@parttime9070]

East SL used to be "20's > 50's" a pretty diverse place with all kinds of family's.. My grandfather built 100's of houses in that area before WW2.. I took a drive around there in the 70's with my dad, he showed me whole streets of houses he helped work on with his dad.

[@msceonikki6318]

I moved in the Southend off Picket St. back in 1990. No one never told me this story until now. "The City that Survive, " know had to tell me that. YOUNG, continue to Stand!👑 👑

[@waynermcmahon8214]

Preach it brother💯 love the history lesson no sugar coating facts

[@deloreswillis9224]

ME. 2

[@bernardclayton553]

It is good to get more detail on the history of East St Louis and also to see my family members participating in relaying that history to this generation

[@stevev707]

I am sure there are hundreds of stories like this one are still untold.

[@Mich-n9b]

Thank you for sharing this story. So sad that people were lost to ignorance

[@sherrilaird6535]

My mother a white woman told me this story in the 60s. She told how horrifying it was for the blacks that children died. She said no one knows how many people died. It was truly a massacre. My mother never talked bad about another race she always made sure to teach me history

[@FukYu-ng4do]

Did she teach you that the riot started because the blacks unloaded dozens of rounds into a car of police and journalists killing all of them because they were white people driving through their black neighborhood? No? I’m shocked.

[@samantharedden3906]

Absolutley horrendous.

[@heidipomeroy5605]

I have this scream of grief inside of me for the loss. That same scream is for the frustration I have toward the cruel hate that people have in their hearts. You would think that we'd learn from history such as this. What is the point of hate?

[@samantharedden3906]

Heidi, you said what I couldn't put words together to say.

[@BlairMountainNetwork]

Yes... I am a new resident of St. Louis & had the same feeling watching this (in tears 😢)... I want to go to some of those sacred sites and say a prayer 🙏🏽 that those who lost their lives for no reason be at peace... This modern-day genocide is heartbreaking 💔.

[@dredayinthelou1664]

Thank you for this story. I am fairly new to the St. Louis area and these are the stories that you don't know until you are told and it is in those stories that we can learn from history and make sure to never make those mistakes again.

[@SeeingHimNow]

Welcome to St Louis. Unfortunately, there’s been so much inequality here, and the elected officials never want to put significant money in some of these areas to rebuild. They get money here and there, but not enough 😔

[@beverlybonfoey1539]

East St. Louis hun 🤔

[@dreadsguns]

My birthplace, family still live there but we moved years ago. Will forever love my city

[@VccTayla]

Yea ❤️ best memories despite conflicts

[@barbarayoung8116]

I love my hometown as well.

[@JaiOva]

Peace be unto Father Brown, we greatly appreciate your truth that start at 14:10. We are choosing to educate ourselves also because what we were taught has nothing to do with who we truly are.

[@funkyworm6517]

And we see the descendants of these heathens on full display every day!

[@alexandercoffman8319]

T00-True..

[@bmphil3400]

Covid and the vaccines were used for the same things.....just not as violent.

[@waynermcmahon8214]

Southside stl mo 314 raised rich history that we aren't tought well or at all need are young to know the past so it is not repeated💯

[@lishawilliams8205]

I get emotional 😢everytime I hear this story, I can't begin 2 imagine what our people went through not being able too save your own children 💁🏾💁🏾‍♀️👶🏽👧🏾👦🏾😞😞😞😞not being able to escape in any direction 💔😔

[@marvinavila5929]

Wooow it’s sad 😢 poor babies and all those moms

[@yodaddy2339]

Being a white man, I am ashamed and embarrassed that this is even a story that can be told. it is the most senseless situation I've ever heard of. The reasoning behind it happening is pure evil, and my heart goes out to all of the beautiful and innocent souls that suffered this act of terrorism. This needs to be shown in high school history classes and talked about within the classroom setting, in hope that every single student will be informed of this brutality and the injustice that ensued afterwards. For anybody who does not believe that this type of inequality and oppression does not have lasting affects and trauma for generations that proceed, I pray that one day you will learn to put yourself in any daughter's or great grandson's shoes and imagine if this happened to your mother or your daughter or son or great uncle, etc.... We can only rid the children and young adults of the bigotry and racism by bringing these things to the forefront and asking ourselves how something like this could possibly seem okay to do, see, hear about, or even let become a piece of American history or any history at all. I have no part in any undertakings of any of the sort of cowardly and senseless acts that would be even related to any of the madness of this story, however, I still feel the need to apologize to any person who sees this and feels any type of way that I did when they viewed this. It is hard to say that I am glad I watched this video. because as sick as I am right now and full of uneasy emotions; I feel like people need to see this to understand how much hate and racism and prejudice can cause by letting it inside of your heart for any reason whatsoever. May God bless every person to see the love that he has put in us to let us help ease hurt and pain and help anybody who struggles or is in need. We all bleed. We all deserve love. Be real with yourself, and Be kind to others. No matter what. God bless you all. One Love. Trevor W.

[@tinawalker5335]

❤

[@daciabell572]

Wow the history of East St Louis just amazes me!!!

[@charmainemonroe4984]

Born and raised in this city. I am very interested in this commission. I am 28 years of age and received a B.S. and M.S. in Criminal Justice and Criminal Justice Administration. I am currently an Investigator and interested in providing my time to my community. If anyone see’s this and have any opportunities, please respond.

[@forgottonbabyforgottendeca1483]

So sad !! It will never be the same...we lost our city/landmark !!

[@jaydub5142]

I appreciate you giving a voice for the people of East St Louis. I wish you had covered the institutional racism that led to the massacre and the involvement of labor unions. Leaving that out makes it sound like we’re past it and it only exists in the rear view mirror. Overall great report though

[@BengtRosini13]

I was wondering why this happened. I grew up in St. Louis and this was never taught in school, and I had never heard about this. If this history would've been taught in school it may have helped to avoid similar problems such as a couple years ago on the north side.

[@andreawerder6385]

That info is HUGE! Thanks for educating us!

[@marvinhagler4721]

THIS COUNTRY ALWAYS HIDES....OR WONT MENTION THESE TYPE OF SITUATIONS WHEN THEY HAVE HISTORY SPECIALS ON TV..I WONDER WHY😒

[@jmos96]

Amazing story and only the tip of the iceberg of racism in the St. Louis area and the country.

[@gdasr1358]

Thank you this was well done. This is my home town. My grandparents fled the south and settled in East St Louis. Only having to flee futher north to escape the PROGRAM.

[@maryaltshuller885]

As a delivery driver for a courier service (white woman) my trips to Southern Illinois often take me through East St. Louis. I look around me at what a sad little American city this is across from St. Louis. Do any local African Americans (a/k/a Black Wall Street) have any desire to help rebuild and finance a better future for East St. Louis?

[@justtruth5855]

Can't see it, they are the decendants of the Israelites from the bible. Their 400 year curse is over, ended 2019 and the countries that have treated them badly will be destroyed, America has already fallen it's just the every day people don't it yet.

[@gregorydavis9691]

The gangsters took over East St Louis.

[@alexandercoffman8319]

@@gregorydavis9691 For Thee Most Part..

[@deepvoicedude4749]

No they don't.

[@marioboyd4259]

Never heard about this story til now! Very sad. The thought of children being beaten,thrown into burning houses being killed,sickens me.

[@dianacummings8903]

So glad to see this for the first time. My grandmother & great aunts told us about this. It is in our family reunion book because it is our history. They had recently moved up here from MS. The story is told of how horrible it was . But they added a tiny bit of humor and said in the midst of the riot a cousin was found hiding under the kitchen table eating.

[@terriyoung5032]

Thank you , we need to know our history don't remember learning this at Clark or East Side saaaad.

[@michaelleroi9077]

I frequented there in the 60s as a child and could feel the wrongdoings

[@hesoshuttlesworth6447]

Wowwwww I grew up in East saint Louis I’m only 27 but this is wild smh HATE IS REAL

[@chippychick6261]

Shocking to see this now. So much has been kept from us all.

[@rogercarroll1663]

Thank you for this work.

[@beatricejethroe3371]

This made me so sad to see this, but it made me understand.Black people are trying to leave East St louis to go live in belleville, Swansea, fairview heights and shiloh. If they would build and put that same money into East St louis, we will make changes, why go put money into a community, that do not need your help, or really don't want you living there. Why do you work hard for those communities. East St louis needs you, our children, and students need your help, lets build East St louis together

[@SteppingPretty]

Why telling this Story they not saying this is in Illinois, and not Missouri. I personally talked to Mr Petty and didn’t know this was his story. I’m so sadden to see my city where I live today has transformed back into the same condition as the Riot, or Programmed as he wants it to be named.

[@smokingfoxx]

Literally never leaned about this in school.. humans have a long way to go .. unbelievable

[@NeishaNineStarz]

If this never happened one could imagine how prosperous this place could’ve been for African Americans.

[@terrellmiller4768]

Voter Suppression 2021 so Republicans won't lose the senate in 2022. History repeats it's self every 100 years❗Jan 6

[@lawrencekniser8555]

and European Americans like myself

[@lawrencekniser8555]

African-Americans?were you born in Africa or America?

[@VccTayla]

@@lawrencekniser8555 i know right Im not even African I have a big decent of Indian 🙄

[@rchar9757]

@@lawrencekniser8555 America. Progressives love to recategorize around every 10 years though 🤦🏾‍♀️

[@corinthwilliams1196]

I'm just learning about this event. It's heart breaking

[@mindalynnbrotherrye9856]

This discusts me! God loves all people and so do I. I am extremely sorry for the ignorance of these people. I love you and will pass this story on:)OX

[@jordanbrown3838]

I didnt learn this until I was 18. My school in st.louis did not teach this, I even took AA history

[@sheimekagaines2625]

This is why this place is so depressing to this day! The dark ore that lies here! My heart goes out to these ppl!

[@SoberBhoy]

My great grandmother was a little polish girl living in ESL not far from the park and she said that it was awful she heard her mom yell and came running home from her walk. Shortly after a couple families from a black street not far away we’re running down their street away from I’m guessing fire idk definitely running from racist guys but anyway her dad ran out and got two families hidden away grabbed his pistol and watched the door their neighbors did as well Idk if the victims knew it was a good street to run to or just got lucky but I’m glad they did and yea ESL history is so sad man it’s really a tragic story

[@ronp1018]

My great grandparents came over from Sweden and ended up at the stockyards in East Saint Louis. Alford was able to make money by selling Bibles on his journey from New York to East Saint Louis later finding out when he had children that there was too much violence so he had moved over the river to Riverview where he had bought a couple of mules and was able to dig basements for houses to make money and later on building streets.

[@troymartin9222]

Worked in East St Louis for 40 years in construction...some people down there are animals..

[@sunshineroyal494]

This is so sad…..my goodness the evil 😈 people who did this🤦🏾‍♀️

[@capricorn8818]

I grew up in Washington park/ East Saint Louis... I had no idea this happened until 5 maybe 6 years ago. I wounder why they didn't teach us about this 😕

[@lisakaye2110]

It is just sad that something as ridiculous as the color or shade of a person's skin is more important to some people than what is in their hearts! I just can't see a way around racism. As long as people continue to use the past as an excuse to behave and live the way they do now, racism will be alive and thriving. SMH! It's disgusting!

[@kendram8797]

My grandmother graduated from East St. LOIUS high school in 1920. In her leather scrapbook is a letter thanking her for volunteering in the colored wing of the hospital. She is one who understood it was wrong and wanted to help.

[@carolinegood765]

Too much to contemplate this horror and the cruelty by people that considered themselves above them all. It is history that should be taught widely. There is enough on this planet for everyone to live well no need to destroy perceived competition. PLEASE, never again.

[@justins712]

The first records of the word riot come from around 1200. In Middle English, the word was used to mean “debauchery,” “revel,” or “violent disturbance.” It comes from the French riote, which means “debate” or “dispute” and derives from the Old French rihoter “to quarrel.” Riot may ultimately derive from the Latin rugīre, “to roar.”

[@Playa001]

They destroyed most of the city and then abandoned it, but the people living there now are blamed for the actions of racists. Current residents didn't destroy estl. It was gone that day in 1917. Its not much but its ours.

[@Chompchompyerded]

I am paralyzed and bed-bound I would love to go to East St. Louis and learn the lessons which I could be taught there, but it is impossible for me to get there. Is there anyone who would be willing to teach me at a distance? I am an eager pupil.

[@dtfar4]

U would be surprised how many young African Americans in STL who don't know this today

[@joserobinson8419]

I had two look at this twice again

[@zihsmith8753]

Speak the facts period

[@lh7071]

All praise to the Most High. We are the people of the book.

[@freshtodeathsteph]

STAY WOKE!!!! AND REMEMBER WHY THEY DON'T WANT YOU WOKE!!!!

[@stevejohnson5477]

I never heard that before in my life

[@Community_Guidelines1232]

I owe Judge Warton my life

[@ryanalopez3078]

This was a little over 100 years ago.. It amazes me that humans are capable of this.

[@zaney1956]

We shopped downtown E. St. Louis as kids black and white through the 50s and 60s no race problems! I have lived here for 66 years and never heard of this stuff! But they have ran it into the ground today without anyones help and still killing each other!

[@coolkid-gl9zs]

Tell me stories of the old days

[@2B-Steele]

Wow!! I do not remember this being taught in school and I was born and raised there….

[@Rijjrijj555]

Whoa. I’m now just hearing about this one. I heard many others but none as violent as east St. Louis. I guess the most horrific are the least remembered. I could never respect a white person.

[@toddfordr8218]

You poor thing. I guess I should feel sorry for you because you ancestors had such bad lives. But I don't. You have your own life to live. If this is why you hate white people, then hopefully you can see your a victim of propaganda. These aren't your memories, those days are gone. Go do something great, your as free too as anyone and the only thing stopping you are excuses. And HATE.

[@Rijjrijj555]

@@toddfordr8218 explain how I’m supposed to respect people that don’t respect black people and their privacy.

[@Rijjrijj555]

@@toddfordr8218 homeboy.

[@toddfordr8218]

@@Rijjrijj555 "son"

[@nelsonmcatee3721]

We ain't all like these people. There's actually a few good white people out there. Me for instance. I was raised right. My mom told me right from the start that the colored kids (her words) were just as good as I am, and that I better treat them right. I'm real proud of my mom for that. I even married a black girl. I can tell East Side has some pride. Their football team isn't afraid to play anybody.

[@keithmariaburton9329]

Let also stop saying how many lives we're lost. How many people were murdered!

[@jimkreider9997]

This is very one sided. My family lived in East St Louis when I was born. There was a huge exodus when blacks started moving in sometime in the 60s. We stayed until 1973 and the entire city was a mess. Now who is killing who?

[@tomdillard9558]

The black people moving in started electing blacks to office just because they were black and not because they were the best people for the job. That was the downfall of the city.

[@toddfordr8218]

I agree. It looks like a lot of hate propaganda. There was a time when Democracy was an all white, men's club. It was easy to blame us for everything. But when a nice piece of property stops being maintained by the occupants, and then entire neighborhoods, and eventually an entire city, it doesnt take a scientist to figure out that its the new occupants that are the problem. I used to think it was racist if someone said "they'll come in and ruin the whole neighborhood" but with age and experience it just is what it is. It's a little scary to think what this country will look like if they dont start taking responsibility for their own issues. Blaming white ancestors while killing each other and destroying their own neighborhoods hasn't exactly been a recipe for success.

[@michaelwhite2823]

It is an excuse for present problems.

[@miapdx503]

Who knew that hating, killing and persecuting people would have a negative effect on them 😒

[@detariushaynes3487]

They need to make a documentary about estl.

[@matth1851]

Thanks for sharing this story it’s sad us as people can’t see beauty in people or don’t ever say it. I will, the person doing most the interviews is beautiful. I’m white and can see beauty and it has no color. Trust your heart

[@MysterDoktor]

There are more views and negative comments for OJ's court case (innocent verdict) and passing than there are for something as important as this.

[@justtruth5855]

They survived it as the Creator knew they would, but the sins of the father will be repayed upon the children's heads. Those who lead into captivity will go into captivity. Jeremiah 30:1-17

[@jdcjr50]

Thank you.

[@coreyschottgun8228]

This whole thing was ruined for me because the production value! Take your mask off to talk!

[@janisebarnesowens5067]

Informative

[@ireenarends5860]

What was the reason of this massacre. .?

[@westinabarnes-mennemeyer2484]

I recently learned about the race riots in East St. Louis

[@Chompchompyerded]

There are things I really don't like about the United States. Bad race relations and how badly we treat our fellow Americans over minor differences is a big one. We need to teach these things in all our schools, and we need to own it, no matter what race we are. Only then can we amend our sinful ways.

[@kaycarter6358]

FYI: The South is South of Canada

[@gradeapedigree9635]

Sad how so much hatred is regarded as not having an impact on the black people of today, yet yts are still afraid of retaliation & some even think it's funny. . I'm still wondering what kind of god let's this happen

[@ronp1018]

My grandfather was born in East Saint Louis?

[@y09p]

Send reparations, government funded, no more money for Israel or whatever. We have conflicts within our own country. Rebuild, and rebuild it as well as it was almost a 100 years ago.

[@keithmeyer3749]

A purge of sorts?

[@ryanhudson4749]

Kinloch Mo is a historic place for black people.

[@marvinavila5929]

Black people do the same too they don’t mess around too

[@tenbroeck1958]

As a white American, I really think this history has to be taught, in order to understand it and evolve as a country. Not in a CRT, white people today are guilty, but rather in an matter-of-fact manner, like you teach any history. It will help our country to rip of the bandage off, which is hiding a lot of this type of history. White kids can learn to understand where some of the racial tensions emanate from, and learn to be compassionate. Young black children can learn to truly respect what their parents, grandparents, etc. all lived through, which can help with some of the low self-esteem issues that many African-Americans have, due to the subtle racism in our society. We can deal with blatant racism, but the subtle racism is insidious.

[@robertpendergrass7996]

Totally agree 👍 Truth + Wisdom = Peace ✌ 🙏.

[@brucerawson-g6f]

In Red Summer 1917 the footnotes mention the US Army Air Force bombing this place.

[@mikeklassic78]

45 yrs old an NEVER heard about this...black history month sucks!

[@dyamondfair3311]

They never tell this part!

[@truthteller8459]

Not all riots are a bad thing, like this one.

[@Lerf8]

American history is so disgusting

[@toddfordr8218]

That's all history. Ours is a short one. This country, just like every other country was fertilized with blood. Not one drop was black or white. It's all red. The history of our country, and humanity in general, is appalling when you only focus on the appalling topics. Even in religion you have a choice between fire and brimstone or peace and love. Which ever perspective you prefer. But presented as it was, this felt more like propaganda intended to keep the hate burning. Or to keep separatists happy, after all it's all about your perspective.

[@Music73777]

@@toddfordr8218 Hiding and manipulating history is far more sinister than revealing it.

[@miapdx503]

Thats why they won't teach it.

[@JaniceBarts]

A beautiful city

[@ursulahenderson691]

Thanks that was very inspiring. I want to kn5

[@StarHamil]

Sad, and this has a very chilling side for me , and to think everything a blk try hard 2 get ahead u have these same haters that's being coach to bring them down , wher is justice.

[@rickwalter8032]

I hope every covers

[@justinbridges4829]

the masks areso dumb hahha still havent learned