5. East St. Louis (Illinois)
In July 1917, East St. Louis erupted in violence as white mobs targeted Black residents amid rising racial and labor tensions. The riots led to the deaths of at least 40 Black residents—though estimates are higher—and the destruction of hundreds of homes and businesses. The devastation shattered the community’s sense of security and prosperity, leaving many families homeless and traumatized. The East St. Louis massacre stands as a stark example of how Black economic progress was met with organized, deadly resistance. Details from the Equal Justice Initiative
