How did this rural town become a stop on the Chitlin’ Circuit?

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So many towns across America created for and by Black Americans have vanished but a few keep going. How did Hobson City, Alabama-a small, rural town-survive 125 years and become a notable stop in the Chitlin’ Circuit? This episode explores one town's fight for independence from Jim Crow to today.
Learn about the movement to preserve historic Black towns and how you can get involved: hbtsa.org/
The Chitlin’ Circuit was a network of venues and clubs built by and for Black entertainers. Learn more about the Chitlin’ Circuit, and its impact on American musical history: www.npr.org/2011/12/20/140596...
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IN THE MARGINS is a new series that covers the history they didn’t teach in school, exploring obscure, yet captivating tales that offer unique insights into their time and place.
IN THE MARGINS is produced by Alabama Public Television, PBS Utah, and WHYY for PBS. This program was produced by Alabama Public Television, which is solely responsible for its content.
00:00 What is the Chitlin' Circuit?
2:02 What is Alabama's first all-Black town?
4:44 Hobson city, thriving through segregation
6:26 How did desegregation affect Black communities?
7:12 Why did stars like James Brown visit Alabama?
8:57 How do we support Black communities?
#ChitlinCircuit #Beyonce #Documentary #PBSShortDocs #InTheMargins

Опубликовано:

5 июл 2024

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Комментарии : 174

@R.E.Trammell 16 дней назад

These lesser known stories about Alabama's rich Black history are important for our state, but even more important for our nation. What a story of resilience.

@torrencesmith1725 14 дней назад

Really??? Rich black history.... I overstand what you're trying to say, but come on. Hell, Mississippi, Missouri, Louisiana, and Tennessee had places on the circuit that was hot for performers. Remember Greenwood?

@PFResearch 14 дней назад

We are Americans not black. You only call yourself black because of these slavic Europeans told you that.

@PapaiLinguistico 12 дней назад

Alabama has very rich Black History. But it’ll remain under a rug as long as folks from Alabama and descendants of Alabama don’t bring it out. Remember, Alabama came before all these other tourist destinations. Gumbo was born in Alabama. Yes! Alabama! And much more.

@garysarratt1 9 дней назад

It’s “history”.

@BrorealeK 9 дней назад

@@PapaiLinguistico Exactly. It's Alabama itself that keeps things this way. No one wants to talk about the dramatic history of Alabama. The state wants to be boring, quiet, and generically conservative. That way, old wounds don't open.

@hiztoricalvp 16 дней назад

❤. So honored to have had this opportunity to educate people about this hidden Alabama gem.

@dorvonbaldwin3550 13 дней назад

good job pretty lady

@TheotheHiztorian 11 дней назад

My wife was in tears when she saw this video because she knows how much Hobson City means to me as a direct descendent of citizens in the historic town. I am grateful to Alabama Public Television and PBS for the opportunity to highlight an overlooked gem in Alabama's history. ❤

@RashidaJaxxon7 13 дней назад

I was born and raised here! Still, our town is thriving and looking onward and upward. The perseverance and diligence of the people, is ever present ♾️. Thank you SO MUCH for this detailed and WELL DONE documentary,Mrs. Bhat!

@user-km3fl9pr4g 14 дней назад

I moved to Anniston Alabama two years ago, from Dallas Texas. I am about a half mile from Hobson City. I hate to report it is in horrible decline. The downtown section is now closed and abandoned stores. And I'm very white, Irish and Norse. I live two blocks from project apartments. When I asked all my black neighbors and friends what is the story of Hobson City, they don't seem to know. The discrimination against blacks is still very evident here in Calhoun County. It shocked me when I first moved here from Dallas how separate the races remain here thank you for the story! I knew there had to be some kind of history behind this city.

@13579hee 13 дней назад

The sad reality is that Black American descendants of US slaves are largely languishing in poverty due to the lack of multi-generational wealth in their community due to their ancestors inability to accrue wealth in their lifetime and pass it down to their next of kin. Policy making in America doomed this community to failure and no amount of "pulling themselves up by their bootstraps" in an America they can't afford is gonna change their situation. The history of policy making is whsts broke them as a people and it is the only serious solution to making them whole again.

@joeg255 12 дней назад

anniston aint hobson city just like ft worth aint dallas

@tarawalker7193 11 дней назад

My family is from Anniston AL

@lbjcb5 11 дней назад

@@13579heewell said! That's the truth that needs to be common knowledge. 🙏🏽❤🥲

@heyheyhey40 11 дней назад

I’m from GA, and I worked in Birmingham AL for a while in the Army Reserve. And going there was a culture shock; felt like I stepped back in time. Racism is STILL very strong. Mediocre White soldiers were getting promotions that Black soldiers weren’t getting even though the Black soldiers had better performance. I was shocked because I’d never seen racism like that in the Army. Why would you want to move to AL? I’ve noticed that while racism is aimed at suppressing Black people, it is detrimental to EVERYONE. The entire state of AL suffers as a result.

@masonlmc 15 дней назад

Really enjoyed working on this project! Great story of a little known town.

@VuittonDon1906 14 дней назад

I grew up in Talladega, Alabama, which is literally 20 minutes from Hobson City. I remember my grandparents talking about going there to see shows and hanging out, without any issues. Now I live in Atlanta, and the "Royal Peacock" is still in operation on Auburn Ave. This program was very informative for people who didn't grow up in the deep south, but these places still exist as well as some of the struggles that were present during those times.

@nubianpaige 7 дней назад

My mom & Dad first date was at the Royal Peacock a James Brown Show. I'm born & raised in Calif. My mom from Atlanta My Dad from Alabama. I'm 54 and after high-school moved to ATL and use to party at the Royal Peacock l. It was the hottest reggae club in the late 90*s.

@xDianaMoonx 15 дней назад

Sadly never heard about the Chitlin Circuit or cities like Hobson City before, so thank you for making this and getting it out there to all of us~ This was really fantastic and informative!

@javionriley8739 15 дней назад

If you’re not black American (descendants of USA chattel slavery) you wouldn’t know about it! The chitlin circuit still exists to this day it’s areas primarily in the black American south going from Louisiana-south Carolina to Delaware aka the trillion dollar spending power of black America (descendants of USA chattel slavery) that’s what the chitlin circuit is some call them black wall streets (same thing)

@davruck1 15 дней назад

@@javionriley8739it’s funny how Black folks know more about America than the “patriots.”

@samuelmuiruri4704 13 дней назад

This reminds me of the movie Ray and the struggles he had in the beginning to organise gigs in small venues with exclusively black clientele. No chitlin circuit mentioned directly by the film but but now it's clear

@therealaboutentrepreneurship 13 дней назад

My family and I are from Hobson City! So glad to see this

@emem2863 12 дней назад

If you watch almost any documentary or movie about a black musician or comedian during Jim Crow, the Chitlin Circuit is usually mentioned.

@TheInfintyithGoofball 15 дней назад

I hope this youtube series lasts YEARS AND YEARS there is SO MUCH history that history class (ironically) hid from us and I have been desperate for years to learn ALL OF IT!

@the_shadow_healer 14 дней назад

It's not hidden, a little research goes a long way.

@PFResearch 14 дней назад

Well, it won't because we are not black. We are Americans. More than likely, we will be suing them for trying to denationalize us.

@josephjohnson1057 12 дней назад

Most white stories like this don't make the news. It's kind of eclectic.

@msvoyeur 12 дней назад

Maybe you should make a video about the white stories you're referring to...

@9roselove9 9 дней назад

Not ironic-it was purposeful

@rjones6127 16 дней назад

I really appreciate this video. Never knew this history. If I ever pass through Alabama, I’ll have to visit Hobson City.

@pseudoname3159 12 дней назад

Before he was Experienced, the talent of Jimi Hendrix was also nurtured throughout his times as a session musician while supporting many famous bands/artists across the Chitlin’ Circuit.

@daltonhanleyjr4142 14 дней назад

The crazy thing is Beyonce's father is from the area. He had family in Hobson City and he grew up in Gadsden, Alabama

@Cewjr 13 дней назад

He grew up in nearby Gadsden, AL

@AlabamaPublicTV 15 дней назад

Whoever the editor was for this one - WOW! 😉

@PokhrajRoy. 16 дней назад

Yes to a new episode in the series. It’s so much fun and great first visual learners.

@WayneReid-l3h 15 дней назад

A remarkable story highlights the perseverance of the Black community in Hobson City and their triumph over obstacles beyond their control. Alabama is rich with such inspiring narratives. Thank you to the team at Alabama Public Television for sharing these stories. Please keep them coming.

@vickiebeene8403 14 дней назад

I could not have found this video at a more perfect time! This video will certainly be included in our summer camp on traveling while black. Thank you for producing this PBS!!

@shannonswift2233 12 дней назад

My great-great grandmother’s brother helped found this city!

@PokhrajRoy. 16 дней назад

Haha I love James Brown getting a background effect

@elwin38 12 дней назад

In Memphis, Beale St was one of our chitlin circuit stops up until the late 60's.

@MrThad15 15 дней назад

We need to bring back the chitlin circuit ✊🏽

@bbills4186 12 дней назад

It's still out there to some, pastors use it traveling from church to church to preach.

@GuapoG0tGuap 15 дней назад

I love the montage in Cadillac Records where it shows them touring all through the Chitlin Circuit

@mutantmuseum 14 дней назад

I would gladly watch a historical drama series about this town.

@demetriaglenn1860 12 дней назад

There is one on RU-vid.

@mutantmuseum 12 дней назад

@@demetriaglenn1860 what's it called?

@JessieBanana 15 дней назад

This is such needed history, it’s informative and enlightening/uplifting without avoiding the racism and challenges faced. I feel like when talking about AA history, there is either this dichotomy of absolutely crushing depressing reality or victory that doesn’t go beyond the surface or moment.

@JosePerez-vz1qq 15 дней назад

The Lyric Theater and the luxurious Sir John Hotel were the two biggest venues on the Chit'lin Circuit in Miami.

@_artorical_ 12 дней назад

Black history IS American history.

@quana2010 14 дней назад

Crazily enough I went to JSU & I never knew this about Hobson City.

@treycherie6236 15 дней назад

shoutout to all the cities that maintained their pieces of history, the venues. i was born in Baltimore and sadly, THAT city chose to demolish basically every theater these folks played in. i think there may be a piece of one remaining

@ayamars4444 14 дней назад

Yup a very small piece on Pennsylvania Ave I think.

@benjaminkleber1442 15 дней назад

Great history lesson for black culture, music, and I love how there are tie-ins to today's parallels so I can understand the significance of everything that was happening at the time!

@adampomata6201 15 дней назад

I enjoy hearing about this history. Stories about adapting to what is and working for the change one wants against really, really tough odds that never really cease. While I wish we lived in a more equitable society sooner - reality is what is and me wishing or hoping something doesn't help make change. Keep making these well produced pieces on black history. This white guy wants to keep learning and figuring out how to do what he can to help sustain what has been done and maybe even move the needle a little close towards the center.

@ETBrenner 15 дней назад

I had known about the chitlin circuit, but not the story of this specific town - many thanks for the info! I hunger for more history of little towns like this building mutual aid communities in the face of rampant racist oppression - I have been concerned for some time that there were and are plenty of them whose existence and stories have been neglected, buried, or outright burned like the "Black Wall Street" Greenwood neighborhood in Tulsa.

@user-ci8wx8zw2z 14 дней назад

That's near Anniston, where I used to live for 4 months when I worked there as a travel nurse.

@SarahBuckelew 15 дней назад

I had no idea that there was a stop in Alabama that so many great artists used to perform in! I want to visit Hobson city now.

@DjBRedd 14 дней назад

Me too

@hardieharrharr 15 дней назад

Growing up black comedies used to mention the Chitlin’ Circuit as a punchline. Made me want to see if it was real when I got older. I used to take a group of teens from Atlanta to Montgomery and would pass through and mention it to them, but never stopped. Wish we would have.

@PFResearch 14 дней назад

How do you grow up black? Just listening to you makes me think that you are not even aware of what you are saying.

@anonymousanonymous-tw3wm 14 дней назад

🍿👀

@mr4cccc 9 дней назад

I'm from Montgomery AL and I'm a history teacher. Thank you for teaching me something 💪🏾💪🏾💪🏾💪🏾

@hazelisdreaming 15 дней назад

I had no idea what the Chitlin Circuit even was before this. I definitely didn’t know Alabama had anything to do with. Black history is American history

@katherinealianoruiz5761 15 дней назад

I absolutely loved this! I had no idea about this part of history and I loved learned about it - also major kudos to the animator *chef's kiss*

@sydneystewart3244 14 дней назад

Thank you for this series, the rich visuals, and pulling together first-hand accounts. Y’all are doing a good thing!

@user-be7tc2bd6e 13 дней назад

Thanks for this informative documentary,I truly enjoyed it.Had to watch it several times to absorb this new information.Never knew about-HOBSON-CITY-till now,please keep these GREAT videos coming.

@tracebarnett 15 дней назад

Superb video filled with incredibly informative content and fabulous interviews! 🎉

@SolatrumMortale 15 дней назад

EXCELLENT!!! Fun to watch and very informative! Great job!!

@ADF-fe7fv 11 дней назад

This is VERY important to know! Thank you, PBS Origins!

@Paidwellington 14 дней назад

Beautiful video. Thank you PBS

@cousinchris5851 10 дней назад

Alabama breeds superstars🌟 I've been there once and had a good time. Will visit again soon

@francinethagard875 16 дней назад

Love it! ❤

@angeeast4209 15 дней назад

I grew up in the Anniston/Oxford area and, sadly, knew nothing about this.

@anthonyrobinson4469 13 дней назад

Yessir…. That mural was painted on a building across the street from my store…

@savoirfaire5460 15 дней назад

the chitlin circuit went out west it had stops in Denver & Colorado Springs I believe on to Los Vegas Phoenix to Las Angles

@jewelofaries 13 дней назад

I'm from Alabama and I've never heard of this city and its history. Thank you for this. I have to do some further research on my own and visit there.

@ShantellJ 14 дней назад

This is awesome!

@TheTrill334 14 дней назад

It's fascinating that hobson city was called moree quarter. So it probably was reference for moors, I would like to think. I've been to Oxford Alabama over 50 times and never knew of this hidden gem . It's pathetic that race attacks were used to prevent blacks from singing and dancing . Any progression was deemed a threat.

@missmunford 13 дней назад

This is TRUE! Mooree Quarters were the first descendants of Africatown to settle here. You can see the evidence throughout the architecture. "Downtown Oxford" was built by the Moors. There is A LOT of history here/there.

@karenmitchell3617 15 дней назад

Amazing!

@FLARPco 16 дней назад

I love this!

@ShantellJ 14 дней назад

Thank you kindly

@cogsworth659 15 дней назад

Fantastic video, keep it up!

@iocat 15 дней назад

Cool video, really interesting to learn this history!!

@savoirfaire5460 15 дней назад

there was a club in Colorado Springs called the Cotton Club a lot a black entertainers I was told Flip Wilson Richard Pryor Bill Cosby Red Foxx I was told it was the only interracial Vue in the state up into the 70s when it forced to closed I didn't know some of these black entertainers were stationed at Ft Carson or Peterson Air Base in the Springs or some just traveling to Cali there was also clubs in Denver's Five Points area

@jolie6107 15 дней назад

The pioneer museum in co springs has an exhibit on the cotton club!

@savoirfaire5460 15 дней назад

@@jolie6107 oh dam I only heard about it from my old barber like 25 years ago after I got out and was living in the springs have to check that out next time I go down there

@clientele732 13 дней назад

Definitely partied at the royal peacock it was Caribbean Night I taught the bartender how to make a Bahama mama

@keeladaniels4095 15 дней назад

Fabulous!

@missmunford 13 дней назад

Amazing production! The untold stories are unbelievable! ❤

@8877dksljfa 11 дней назад

This is such an interesting video, I had no idea about this history! I would really like to stop by Hobson City next time i'm on the way to Atlanta.

@Lnunn295 15 дней назад

Fantastic!

@jerryspearman3521 14 дней назад

This was amazing

@vr6swp 12 дней назад

A former co-worker was a pump jockey at an all-night gas station near Anniston, I think it was on US 78, circa mid 60's. He told me about meeting a number of Chitlin Circuit performers who stopped for gas late at night.

@work6312 13 дней назад

When I lived in Birmingham I worked in Anniston for 1.5 yeas. I never heard any mention of Hobson City. Thank you for sharing this.

@swypeswype2768 15 дней назад

Thank you

@Jennifer-rv9sb 15 дней назад

Not sure if there’s a video on this already, but please make a video on the prosperous black cities in Alabama and Georgia that they covered with man-made lakes, please and thank you

@paulknight5300 12 дней назад

It was nothing to see Mr Brown out and about in Augusta back in the day. I seen him at the grocery store when I was a kid growing up in Augusta, Ga

@nubianpaige 7 дней назад

My mom & dad first date was at a James Brown show at the Royal Peacock in Atlanta.

@bnthern 15 дней назад

thank you!!

@devoradamaris 12 дней назад

🕊🌎🕊🕊sharing🫂thankYOU for posting❤

@TheRealVerbalAbuser 12 дней назад

Beautiful story

@sage4nowty129 13 дней назад

An amazing history!! Does this town still exist?

@bobwatson1162 12 дней назад

One stop you didn't mention was the Uptown theater in Philadelphia Pa.. Before the groups and singers went to New York they would do the show in Philly that they would do in New York....

@KatoOnTheTrack1 12 дней назад

Coming from Harlem, I didn’t know the Apollo was part of it. Makes sense but just thought of the south and midwest.

@kincamell2 19 часов назад

Gratitude

@beverlyphillips4588 4 дня назад

Well-done!!

@aldali724 День назад

Had no clue James performed at Carver, can’t look at that place the same anymore lol

@kevinwoods8815 14 дней назад

I live down the road from Hobson city and never knew this…..

@wssuramnation 17 минут назад

This was great

@BlaqueTyrone 11 дней назад

YT folks are a trip. Ran folks out of the city they all "shared" and then had an attitude when they started their own city. Sadly this wasn't an isolated an event.

@TheRealCueenFoodie 12 дней назад

I love how she say chitlin 😂

@Openyoureyes932 5 дней назад

I'm only here because I was just talking to my uncle about the chilltlen circuit and it popped up. I swear these phones are you know what

@turdferguson12 18 часов назад

Yes they are 💯

@TSA1D1 11 дней назад

10:10 "Path Through Perseverance "

@bobdavis5719 15 дней назад

💯💯💯🤎💫

@kidmohair8151 2 дня назад

it's hard to keep a good culture down. isn't it? regardless of how hard some people try to oppress, legislate against, and intimidate them, people have a drive to be alive.

@ShaSha-eu5hp 10 дней назад

I have never heard of this.

@timdevries11 13 дней назад

Maybe an annual festival featuring current black artists in the city of Hobson would help.

@kourtneyhanley 14 дней назад

It needs to b remade chitlin circuit should b revived for underground artist

@lorddubai1935 13 дней назад

Mooree Quarter🔥🔥🔥 stop letting these people take your birthright away from you

@antoniopowe4527 2 дня назад

I’m from Jacksonville Alabama

@turdferguson12 18 часов назад

Me too

@chellejohnson8880 13 дней назад

So they didn't want black people to live among them, but didn't want them to have their own space or towns either? This is why racism is senseless

@Genny-Zee 9 дней назад

@hopsiepike 10 дней назад

I’m sure the documents of incorporation were lost. Lost in a trash can.

@louimmature 15 дней назад

ALABAMA METIONED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

@Genny-Zee 8 дней назад

I’m

@TSA1D1 11 дней назад

Rip Willie Mays

@leedza 14 дней назад

What people don't realise is that its hard to leave a meaningful legacy of anything if every attempt to create wealth and pass on the ownership to the next generation is faced with opposition. The sad part is that the black economy got dissolved once segregation was abolished.

@diodelvino3048 14 дней назад

Im glad theres more people actually looking at history. People want to criticize black people so hard and call us lazy but dont have the ears or brain to look into history, Tulsas Black wallstreet, Red summer 1919,its extremely disturbing the amount of times after the abolishment of slavery, that black people built up and supported their own neighborhoods just for it to be burnt down and destroyed from racist white rioters. It happened several times into 1950s, not to mention all the redlining, flattening out communities to build highways etc.. We were always used as political weapons, all that is documented and recorded in history but so many fake Americans cant be bothered to look into our own history that still plagues people to this day.

@stampederealty 14 дней назад

Add Bronzeville Chicago to that list

@cousinchris5851 10 дней назад

2:17 racial violence? She meant to say terrorism. Domestic terrorism to be exact

@DeepDeepSouth 10 дней назад

If only they didnt destroy our establishments...

@orig66Super 4 дня назад

If there was no Chuck Berry then there would be no Rolling Stones. Or AC/DC for that matter. Trumpers oughtta learn THAT.

@turdferguson12 18 часов назад

What does Chuck Berry have to do with President Trump? I bet he is a fan!

@orig66Super 16 часов назад

@@turdferguson12 My guess is that Trump supporters are Rolling Stones and AC/DC fans and that they might not be aware that the Rolling Stones and AC/DC learned to do what they do in part from Chuck Berry and other black blues musicians. I’m sure Mr. Trump is a fan of all three and that everybody ought to just COOL OUT!