The Daughters of the American Revolution and the Marian Anderson Incident
Concept Map
Algorino
Edit available
The Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) journey from racial discrimination, exemplified by the Marian Anderson incident, to embracing diversity is a significant narrative in American civil rights history. The DAR's policy changes and recognition of diverse patriots, including the election of Wilhelmena Rhodes Kelly, reflect a broader societal shift towards inclusivity.
Summary
Outline
The Daughters of the American Revolution and the Marian Anderson Incident
The Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), an organization for women who are descendants of individuals involved in the United States' independence, faced criticism for racial discrimination in the early 20th century. In 1932, the DAR adopted a policy that prohibited African American artists from performing at their Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C., due to some members' objections to integrated audiences. The policy's impact was highlighted in 1939 when the DAR denied the acclaimed African American singer Marian Anderson the opportunity to perform at the venue. This decision prompted First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt to resign from the DAR, citing her disapproval of their exclusionary practices and emphasizing the organization's failure to lead progressively.Public Outcry and the Historic Lincoln Memorial Concert
The DAR's refusal to allow Marian Anderson to perform at Constitution Hall led to a public outcry and significant media criticism, with comparisons drawn between the DAR's actions and the racial policies of Nazi Germany. In response, President Franklin D. Roosevelt, along with Walter White of the NAACP and Anderson's manager Sol Hurok, arranged for an alternative performance at the Lincoln Memorial. On April 9, 1939, Anderson performed to an audience of over 75,000 people, with millions more listening via radio. Her powerful performance, particularly of "America (My Country, 'Tis of Thee)," became an iconic moment in the struggle for civil rights and highlighted the issue of racial discrimination in the United States.DAR's Policy Change and Ongoing Challenges with Racism
The DAR officially reversed its discriminatory policy in 1952, allowing artists of all races to perform at Constitution Hall. Despite this policy change, the organization continued to face allegations of racism. In 1957, a DAR chapter in Colorado excluded a Mexican American child from a Lincoln birthday celebration. In 1984, Lena Lorraine Santos Ferguson, who met the lineage requirements, was initially denied membership in a Washington, D.C. chapter because she was Black. Public backlash and threats of losing tax exemptions led the DAR to amend its bylaws to explicitly prohibit racial discrimination and to recognize the contributions of Black patriots during the American Revolution.Embracing Diversity and Honoring All Patriots
In recent decades, the DAR has undertaken initiatives to recognize the diverse range of patriots who contributed to the American Revolution. This includes the publication of "Forgotten Patriots: African-American and American Indian Patriots in the Revolutionary War" in 2008, which documents the roles played by these individuals. Additionally, the DAR posthumously recognized Mary Hemings Bell, an enslaved woman owned by Thomas Jefferson, as a "Patriot of the Revolution" in 2007, thus allowing her female descendants to join the DAR. In a historic move, Wilhelmena Rhodes Kelly was elected in 2019 as the first African American to the DAR National Board of Management, serving as the New York State Regent.Reflecting on the DAR's Journey from Exclusion to Inclusion
The DAR's history of racial discrimination and its subsequent efforts toward inclusivity mirror the broader American experience with civil rights. The organization's initial exclusionary stance and its eventual recognition of the contributions of people of color to the nation's founding reflect a slow but significant shift in societal attitudes. The story of Marian Anderson's exclusion and the subsequent Lincoln Memorial concert remains a powerful example of overcoming adversity and challenging injustice. The DAR's progression from a past of exclusion to a present that acknowledges a diverse array of patriots illustrates the ongoing effort to reconcile with historical injustices and strive for a more inclusive future.
Show More
The Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR)
History of the DAR
The DAR is an organization for women who are descendants of individuals involved in the United States' independence
Discrimination in the DAR
Racial discrimination
The DAR faced criticism for racial discrimination in the early 20th century, leading to the Marian Anderson Incident
Exclusionary practices
The DAR's policy of prohibiting African American artists from performing at Constitution Hall highlighted their exclusionary practices
Policy change and ongoing challenges
The DAR officially reversed its discriminatory policy in 1952, but continued to face allegations of racism in later years
The Marian Anderson Incident
Denial of performance at Constitution Hall
In 1939, the DAR denied Marian Anderson the opportunity to perform at Constitution Hall due to their discriminatory policy
Public outcry and historic concert at the Lincoln Memorial
The DAR's decision sparked public outcry and led to a historic concert at the Lincoln Memorial, organized by President Franklin D. Roosevelt and others
Impact on civil rights and the DAR
The Marian Anderson Incident brought attention to racial discrimination in the United States and prompted the DAR to amend their policies
Embracing diversity and honoring all patriots
Recognition of diverse patriots
In recent decades, the DAR has undertaken initiatives to recognize the diverse range of patriots who contributed to the American Revolution
Efforts towards inclusivity
Publication of "Forgotten Patriots"
The DAR published "Forgotten Patriots" in 2008, documenting the roles played by African American and Native American individuals in the American Revolution
Recognition of Mary Hemings Bell
In 2007, the DAR posthumously recognized Mary Hemings Bell, an enslaved woman, as a "Patriot of the Revolution," allowing her female descendants to join the organization
Progress towards inclusivity
In 2019, Wilhelmena Rhodes Kelly became the first African American to be elected to the DAR National Board of Management, serving as the New York State Regent
The Daughters of the American Revolution and the Marian Anderson Incident
Learn with Algor Education flashcards
Click on each card to learn more about the topic
00
DAR's racial discrimination policy adoption year
1932, DAR barred African American artists from Constitution Hall.
01
Eleanor Roosevelt's reaction to DAR's exclusion of Marian Anderson
Resigned from DAR, protesting their racial discrimination.
02
DAR's stance on integrated audiences in the early 20th century
Opposed, leading to exclusion of African American performers.
