The Daughters of the American Revolution and the Marian Anderson Incident
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.
See moreThe 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.Want to create maps from your material?
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1
DAR's racial discrimination policy adoption year
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2
Eleanor Roosevelt's reaction to DAR's exclusion of Marian Anderson
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3
DAR's stance on integrated audiences in the early 20th century
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4
The denial by the DAR to let ______ sing at Constitution Hall sparked widespread disapproval and was likened to the ______ racial policies.
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5
Over 75,000 spectators and millions on ______ witnessed ______'s stirring rendition of 'America (My Country, 'Tis of Thee)' at the Lincoln Memorial.
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6
______'s performance at the Lincoln Memorial became a symbol in the ______ movement and underscored the issue of racial inequality in America.
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7
DAR Constitution Hall desegregation year
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8
DAR Colorado incident 1957
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9
DAR bylaws amendment for racial discrimination
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10
In 2007, the DAR posthumously acknowledged ______, once owned by Thomas Jefferson, as a "Patriot of the Revolution".
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11
______ became the first African American on the DAR National Board of Management in 2019.
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12
As a result of her recognition by the DAR, female descendants of ______ are eligible to join the organization.
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13
______ served as the New York State Regent after being elected to the DAR National Board of Management.
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14
Initial stance of DAR on race
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15
Marian Anderson's exclusion significance
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16
DAR's current acknowledgment of diversity
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