In 1874, a formerly enslaved man named Peter Crosby was elected Sheriff of Vicksburg, Mississippi! This was HUGE for Vicksburg’s Black community, but white residents weren’t happy.
One group in particular was FURIOUS.
The White-Liners, known for using politics to “draw the racial line,” tried pushing Crosby out of office. They accused him of false crimes, threatened his life, and ignored government ordinances enacted to protect him.
Worse, they’re responsible for the Vicksburg Massacre.
The massacre occurred when White-Liners shot into a crowd of Black locals gathered to support Crosby. Hundreds were killed or injured, but STILL Crosby wouldn’t back down!
Eventually, Crosby appointed a white deputy, J.P. Gilmer, thinking this would help keep the peace. Would it?
No! Months later Crosby fired Gilmer, and in retaliation, Gilmer shot Crosby in the head! Crosby survived – but couldn’t serve as Sheriff.
Gilmer wasn’t tried, and once Crosby resigned, the White-Liners quickly resumed political control over the area.
Today, Black leaders are still threatened on a regular basis. Like Crosby, we must be resilient and remember that we are mightier than the hateful systems working to destroy us.