Elliot Jaspin, the author of "Buried in the Bitter Waters: The Hidden History of Racial Cleansing in America", talks about the events that led up to the entire Black population being driven out of Erwin, Tennessee in May of 1918.
Hi, My name is Jakki Young and my family was part of the Expulsion of Erwin. My Great Great Grandparents were Benjamin and Susan Young. They lived in Erwin and their children were all born in Erwin. My Grandfather, John Young was born in Erwin in 1913. By 1920, they were in West Virginia! As a kid, in Tennessee, I remember my grandfather never speaking of his family! Like it was taboo! Now, I know why! He was 5 years old when the expulsion happened! and I'm sure traumatized by the event!!
