In a poignant reflection on the historical struggle for racial equality, the Texas State Fair in Dallas, which was marred by segregation until the mid-20th century, stands as a testament to the resilience of those who fought for justice. Dating back to 1889, planners initially designated a single day, known as Colored People’s Day, for African Americans to attend the fair. This practice continued until 1910 when it was discontinued, only to be replaced by Negro Achievement Day in 1936.
Negro Achievement Day, a collaborative effort between the Negro Chamber of Commerce and the State Fair Board, was marked by a grand parade adorned with floats and fair Queens, the presentation of the Most Distinguished Negro Citizen Award, and spirited high school and college football games. This special day drew African-American visitors from across the state, becoming a cultural cornerstone.
The turn of events came in 1953 when the fair allowed African Americans to attend on any day but restricted full participation in the fair’s offerings to Negro Achievement Day. Juanita Craft, NAACP Youth Council advisor for the Dallas branch, took a courageous stand against this discrimination. Craft and Youth Council members orchestrated a boycott of the fair in 1953 to spotlight the discriminatory practices. Teenagers, wielding signs declaring “TODAY IS NEGRO APPEASEMENT DAY AT THE FAIR,” picketed the parade, conveying a powerful message of resistance.
Craft vividly recalled in a 1974 interview, “Those kids went to the starting point at Lincoln High School and boarded the floats right along with the queens and everybody else and rode down the streets saying, ‘Stay out. Don’t sell your pride for a segregated ride.’” The picket line at the fair’s entrance marked a symbolic turning point as participants refused to enter, sustaining the protest throughout the day and into the night.
While the Youth Council did not immediately end Negro Achievement Day, their peaceful demonstration succeeded in drawing attention to the discrimination faced by African Americans. The NAACP recognized their efforts with an award, acknowledging the well-organized and impactful protest. In subsequent years, adults took up the mantle of picketing the fair. The dropping of “Negro” from Achievement Day in 1957 was a symbolic shift, culminating in the official end of the event in 1961, followed by the full desegregation of the fair later in the ’60s.
The pivotal moments of the civil rights struggle in Dallas, including the fair boycott, were documented by photographer R. C. Hickman. His photographs serve as visual artifacts capturing the resilience and determination of those who fought for racial equality in Dallas during the 1950s.
Today, the UpnUpMovement sheds light on the enduring economic disparities between the fair and the surrounding community. Despite the fair’s shift towards integration and changes in title, economic inequality persists. Operating revenues soared to $88,414,896 in 2021 and $75,866,798 in 2020, yet these considerable financial gains fail to uplift the socio-economic standing of South Dallas, perpetuating historical economic disparities.
The UpnUpMovement underscores the urgent need for a more equitable distribution of resources, demanding a concerted effort to rectify historical injustices that have disproportionately affected South Dallas. The economic disconnect underscores a persistent legacy of injustice, where the fair’s prosperity falls short in addressing longstanding economic challenges faced by the community. It’s a call for transformative action and an equitable partnership that ensures the fair becomes a catalyst for positive change within its community.
#StayOnTheUpnUp
