W 6 -: Tough Times-Introduction to Florida History - Essay Example

W 6 -Tough Times November 4, Despite the dramatized events in the movie “Rosewood,” historical accounts recall a muchdifferent story than that which was portrayed on screen. Jesse Hunter, an African American had indeed escaped from a nearby prison work detail. Though the movie actually placed blame on a white lover of Fannie Taylor, showing that beat her and later she chose to blame a black man, that facts of the case make it much more likely that it was indeed Jesse hunter, escaped, and in need of money who attacked Fannie.

The placement of the white lover as the original attacker served to dramatize the events and fuel the racial tension as well as represent the racial tension of the time (Leretseh, 2012). Despite the claims that more than six were murdered four were killed, two adult males and two adult females. There were no lynching in these riots and six buildings were burned. Jim Crow laws were in effect allowing blacks to be distinct and own and maintain their own structures. Bloodhound dogs tracked the scent of black male Sam Carter, where it stopped at Fannie’s, it was then assumed Sam Carter helped Jesse to escape and he was hung by neck.

Two days after the incident there was rumor that a fugitive was hiding in the home of Sarah Carrier, a black woman. Evidence and facts are elusive beyond this point though what is known is that two white Americans were shot in front of her home which initiated the burning of the six buildings. It is possible the fugitive was inside the home holding Sarah at gunpoint, later firing on the mob outside. He was shot and killed though it was not known for certain though after a hail of gunfire whites returned the next day to find the dead body of Sarah and a black man, presumed to be the fugitive and it was assumed Sam had taken him there for refuge.

On day three a large group of white Americans set fire to six buildings, none homes and no one was killed (Leretseh, 2012). On day 4 and as vengeance for the death of the white males white residents from nearby towns set fire to the twelve black homes, killing one bedridden female who did not escape. Upon hearing of the oncoming mob the town residents escaped for locations further North in fear of their lives. Though these facts are gathered from various sources they seem far more likely the truth when reviewed individually and logically though they lack the same level of racial drama the movie was able to incite by the addition of a white lover actually committing the assault against Fannie.

ReferencesLeretseh. (2012). The Rosewood Massacre (1923): The Real Truth. HubPages. Retrieved November 4, 2012, from http://s-leretseh.hubpages.com/hub/The-Real-Truth-Of-The-Rosewood-Massacre-1923