How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
The muscle and sweat needed to keep things going was furnished by Black workers, lured north in hope of a better life. (2.47)
Atlantic City would have never been possible without the contributions of black workers. As we'll come to learn, however, these workers are not properly recognized for the hard work that they do.
Quote #2
Typical of the era, the name of the waiter who led the strike remains unknown. To White society, African-Americans, generally were anonymous. (3.5)
Upset by their mistreatment, black workers attempt to unionize and fight for their rights. Unsurprisingly, the Atlantic City bigwigs squash the strike immediately. Without any better prospects, these disenfranchised workers have no choice but to grin and bear it. Ugh.
Quote #3
The number of Black artisans dwindled to only a handful. That such a large reservoir of talent was permitted to dry up confirms the ignorance and inutility of racial prejudice. (3.9)
To be honest, racism is just about the dumbest thing on the planet. How does preventing highly-trained workers from utilizing their talents help a country? How does preventing a sizeable portion of your population from getting real work help stabilize an economy? When you look at it like that, racism isn't just evil—it's counterproductive.
Quote #4
No other group in the American population—including new immigrants from Europe—had such a large proportion of its members in such menial employment. (3.13)
That's the truth. Atlantic City eventually becomes home to many of these ethnic groups, including Jewish, Italian, and Irish immigrants, all three of which play a prominent role in the development of Atlantic City. Black residents, on the other hand, have a radically different experience.
Quote #5
New Jersey's reaction to Lincoln's election in 1860 included talk of secession. (3.20)
Despite modern stereotypes, there's no magic dividing line between the North and the South. Though it seems more equal on the surface, the Northeast can be just as racist as the Deep South.
Quote #6
As a result, the Atlantic City tourist economy provided Black workers with the ability to move from one type of job to another. (3.21)
It might not be much, but it's something. In other Northern cities, black workers are generally forced to work as personal servants, giving them no opportunity to rise in the ranks of a business. They might be doing the same type of work in Atlantic City, but at least they have the opportunity to get a promotion.
Quote #7
But the mobility available in the workplace did not translate into social mobility. As Blacks grew in numbers, the racial attitude of Atlantic City's Whites hardened. (3.23)
At first, race relations are pretty solid in Atlantic City. As more black families move into the city, however, white residents start to see their monopoly being threatened and respond angrily. To these people, a few black residents are fine, but a sizeable black population is to be feared. It's pretty ridiculous.
Quote #8
Although Northern Whites did not institute a legal system of segregation and disenfranchisement, they did develop subtlety identifiable discriminatory patterns. (3.26)
Once again, we see commonly held stereotypes about the North and the South completely shattered. On one hand, it's obvious that Southern states have more laws regulating the lives of black citizens, and never for the better. While these laws don't exist on the books up North, the racially-charged motivations behind them are as present as ever.
Quote #9
Many readings from the time […] have an unreal quality. It was almost as if White society wished Blacks would disappear at the end of the workday. (3.29)
That would be the least cool magic trick of all time. This just goes to show the downright absurdity of racism. Atlantic City—and the country as a whole—has been built by black workers, yet they never gain the respect of white citizens, no matter how hard they try. It's pretty ridiculous.