State Historical Society of Iowa

Illustration from "The Exodus," 1919

 Download Image Resource

Courtesy of Library of Congress, Randall, P.J. Clyde, The Exodus, pp. 12, 1919

Description

This is an illustration in the book The Exodus, which was written by Clyde Randall and Ed Winn in 1919. The illustration depicts an African-American man who is in debt to a white southern man who is holding him at gunpoint. The image speaks to the ongoing threat of violence imposed on African Americans by the descendants of white enslavers in the United States.

Transcript of The Exodus Illustration

Source Dependent Questions

  • Without reading the caption, use visual evidence to explain what is taking place in this illustration. After reading the caption, explain the imbalance of power between both men and why it exists.
  • Why would it be easy for former slaves like Lewis to fall into debt?
  • Why would the authors include this illustration in their book titled, The Exodus.

Citation Information

Randall, P.J. Clyde, The Exodus, pp. 12, 1919. Courtesy of Library of Congress Courtesy of Library of Congress