As the Washington Evening Star wrote during the Bonus Army's stay in D.C., “These men wrote
a new chapter on patriotism of which their countrymen could be proud.”
a new chapter on patriotism of which their countrymen could be proud.”
TIMELINE:
1931 Nine black youths are put on trial for rape in Scottsboro, Alabama. The racist handling of the case
results in a national outcry and Supreme Court intervention.
results in a national outcry and Supreme Court intervention.
March 5, 1933 Franklin Delano Roosevelt is sworn in as president thus beginning the first “One Hundred
Days” of the New Deal.
Days” of the New Deal.
1934 Henry Miller writes Tropic of Cancer.
1935 Sinclair Lewis writes It Can't Happen Here.
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BILLIE HOLIDAY SINGS
“STRANGE FRUIT”
“STRANGE FRUIT”
“Not many singers could claim to have ‘suffered for their art’ as Billie Holiday,” says journalist Don
Atapattu. “Born Elinore Harris… Billie certainly knew torment. As well as growing up black in the
Jim Crow South; she endured sexual abuse; extreme poverty; homelessness; and a stint as a
prostitute before she began recording music at the age of 18. Later in life she would survive
chronic alcohol abuse, heroin addiction and regular beatings from the violent boyfriends her
masochistic streak subconsciously picked.”
Atapattu. “Born Elinore Harris… Billie certainly knew torment. As well as growing up black in the
Jim Crow South; she endured sexual abuse; extreme poverty; homelessness; and a stint as a
prostitute before she began recording music at the age of 18. Later in life she would survive
chronic alcohol abuse, heroin addiction and regular beatings from the violent boyfriends her
masochistic streak subconsciously picked.”
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