The Bitter Struggle for Justice in Red Wing, Minnesota

When we think about the fierce battles against racism and slavery, cities like Red Wing, Minnesota often get overshadowed. But let me tell y'all, this tiny city was a cauldron of political and racial turmoil, stoked in no small part by the media of the time.

The two prime culprits? William Colvill's Sentinel, a blind supporter of the Democratic Party, and Lucius Hubbard's Goodhue County Republican. While these two newspapers were at loggerheads, the disdain and prejudice displayed by the Sentinel was nothing short of repugnant.

Colvill, in his misguided wisdom, celebrated the rise of Illinois senator Stephen Douglas, a man who had the audacity to believe in compromises on slavery. Douglas didn't see us Black folk as equals, openly declaring his racist views. And in his support for such a man, Colvill demonized "Black Republicans" as radicals. As if fighting for our rights and dignity was radical!

And don't get me started on the Sentinel's defense of the Dred Scott decision. Claiming the Constitution didn't see slaves as citizens, Colvill justified that atrocious ruling. It's a painful reminder of the time when Black lives were seen as secondary, if at all.

But the depth of Colvill's hatred was truly exposed with the disgraceful August 1859 Chicago Times piece that described us, free African Americans, in the vilest of terms. This is the same Sentinel that regularly mocked Black folks with tasteless "jokes," portraying us as uneducated and childish.

It's not all doom and gloom, though. Lucius Hubbard's Goodhue County Republican stood up against this bigotry, consistently calling out the Democrat's anti-Black sentiments. He laid bare the hypocrisy and prejudice of Colvill and his cronies, showing them for who they truly were.

The audacity of the Democratic Party, with members like Colvill, to think they could buy our freedom, our votes, and our voices with mere dollars is infuriating! And let's not forget the hero, John Brown, who made a valiant attempt to free our enslaved brethren. His bravery was celebrated by many, including Hubbard, even as white supremacists demonized him.

This bitter struggle against racism and for justice in Red Wing wasn't just a local phenomenon – it was a microcosm of the national struggle. And while the Civil War saw a ceasefire of sorts between Colvill and Hubbard, they, like many others, had to face the consequences of their beliefs on the battlefield.

The history of Red Wing is a testament to the power of the media, the tenacity of the oppressed, and the constant battle for justice. Let's not forget it. #RedWingHistory #BattleForJustice

#MediaInfluence  #CivilWarEra  #RacismExposed #BlackVoicesMatter #PoliticalTurmoil