The Columbian Expo.

Learn more about it in the Source:

http://www.chicagohs.org/history/expo.html

ThingWhen the World's Columbian Exposition debuted on May 1, 1893, it was to celebrate the accomplishments of the diverse nations and cultures that arose after Columbus' discovery of the New World. To the disappointment and indignation of black leaders, the United States hosted not a single booth commemorating African Americans in American history. As Frederick Douglass commented: "We are as usual overlooked in quarters where we should have expected consideration and when we ask for what in all fairness is our due we are taunted with drawing the colored line." It was as if to say that no black person had ever done anything noteworthy, when in fact a mass culture of literary, artistic, and musical achievement had emerged in the country from the period of slavery through the Reconstruction. How could an entire race be so blatantly belittled and unrecognized?

ThingIda concluded furiously that her people did have something to contribute. She teamed up with Frederick Douglass and others including Garland Penn and Ferdinand Lee Barnett (her future husband) to make this known. They settled upon a pamphlet to share their views, The Reason Why the Colored American Is Not in the World's Columbian Exposition. Ida took it upon herself to personally raise five hundred dollars and produce about twenty thousand copies of The Reason Why--she wanted to make sure as many people as possible were able to get a hold of the pamphlet. Eventually, parts of the pamphlet was reproduced worldwide: in Russia, France, India, and Germany.

ThingEveryday at the exposition Ida faithfully distributed copies to passersby from the booth Douglass held for the island of Haiti, where he had once been the U.S. minister. Ida and her companion's efforts were not in vain. Perhaps succumbing to pressure from both the pamphlet and the revered Frederick Douglass, the United States finally offered a Colored Jubilee Day on April the 25th.

ThingThough ultimately both cherished the same ideals and goals, Douglass and Ida's distinctly different natures caused them to take the government's offer in different lights. Douglass had been through much strife in his lifetime and had more years of wisdom than Ida, who was about forty years his junior. He had spent his youth in slavery and had had to make a dangerous escape to the North, where he started one of the premier black newspapers, the North Star. He also had heartily participated in the Underground Railroad in the years before the Civil War. Thus, Douglass had been a witness to the black struggle for its place in society throughout the years. Consequently, he saw the Colored Jubilee Day as a small victory, but a victory nonetheless.

ThingIda was by far much more idealistic, and scoffed at the notion of simply having one day to acknowledge all the successes of her people. She herself knew that she was a stubborn person, a character trait that often alienated her from those who refused to give her absolute support in all her exploits. Thus, it was no surprise that she obstinately refused the proposal, warning Douglass that he should not settle for it, too. However, Douglass went forward with the Colored American Day, which was carried off exceedingly well. There was a poetry reading done by Paul Laurence Dunbar, musical performances as well as other black entertainment, and finally a speech given by Douglass himself.

ThingIda did not attend, but after reading about the beautifully orchestrated event she had a change of heart. She saw that her actions had been misguided and confessed, "I was so swelled with pride over his [Douglass'] masterly presentation of our case that I went straight out to the fair and begged his pardon for presuming in my youth and inexperience to criticize him." After all, the day had raised awareness if nothing else--awareness of the flourishing culture of the black race. It was a step in the right direction.