With concerns over a new voting law, an agricultural recession and ongoing exploitation through the state’s crop lien system, roughly 50,000 African Americans left North Carolina between 1889-90.
Author: Thomas Calder
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Religious leaders tackle systemic racism
Many religious leaders in Western North Carolina are using the pulpit to call for racial justice. For some, the message predates the killing of George Floyd; for others, the issue is a new and delicate topic.
Local church leader challenges congregation about its racial assumptions, 1941
Between 1930-70, some local churches joined in participation of the annual “Race Relations Sunday” sermon held each February.
Ron Rash releases his latest collection of stories
Vengeance, justice, loss and addiction are all explored in Ron Rash’s latest collection, “In the Valley: Stories and a Novella Based on ‘Serena,'” which hits bookstores Tuesday, Aug. 4.
The role white supremacy played in compulsory education, 1906
In 1906, illiteracy among white North Carolina children totaled 45,000. This, combined with a growing fear of an educated Black population, led local residents to push for compulsory education laws.
Residents react to the 1964 Civil Rights Act
In the early months of 1964, residents shared their thoughts on the impending civil rights bill. Most who offered their opinions expressed a dire message of inevitable chaos if the measure were to become law.
Local resident contributes to his community through gardening
Six years ago, Roy Harris helped launch the Southside Community Garden. The initiative has taken on greater meaning in the wake of COVID-19, he says. Food insecurity is a particular problem in the predominantly low-income Southside neighborhood. Gardening, he continues, is one way to combat the issue.
Asheville Archives: Citizens Hotel Corp. pushes for community buy-in, 1922-23
In November 1922, plans were unveiled for the new George Vanderbilt Hotel. Residents were quickly summoned to invest in the project. Not everyone jumped on board.
Finding happiness during times of collective grief
Xpress spoke with Asheville community members to learn how they’re finding moments of joy amid an unrelenting pandemic and the latest incident of an unarmed Black man killed by a white officer.
Local resident discusses the challenges of being blind during COVID-19
Throughout his adult life, Gary Ray has been visually impaired. COVID-19, he says, has created new obstacles for himself as well as others in the blind community.
Author Leah Hampton examines modern life in Appalachia
On July 14, Waynesville resident and former Western Carolina University instructor, Leah Hampton, will celebrate the release of her debut book, “F*ckface: And Other Stories.” Several of the book’s tales take place in and around the Asheville area.
Asheville Archives: City youths launch Polio Prevention Club amid the 1948 outbreak
In August 1948, the Polio Prevention Club formed. The youth-led organization worked to raise funds for the Asheville Orthopedic Home, which treated the majority of the region’s polio cases during the summer outbreak.
Asheville Archives: Sugar-free theory for curing polio elicits harsh criticism, 1948
As polio numbers continued to rise in Asheville, one local nutritionist argued that diet alone could prevent residents from contracting the virus.
International exchange group visits Asheville on the cusp of COVID-19
In February, Elise Guillemet and several of her students traveled from Saumur, France, to Asheville as part of an exchange program. Shortly after their return home, a nationwide lockdown went into effect.
Lessons from local international exchange programs
Xpress reached out to several local international organizations to discuss what insights their global work could offer Western North Carolina residents who are grappling with the ongoing legacy of white supremacy in America.
Local author explores an alternative to the Civil War
In his debut novel, David Sullivan explores ways the Civil War could have been avoided.
An international student calls West Asheville home during health crisis
In August 2019, Brian Ngatunga enrolled at Asheville High School. The international exchange student planned to be here for just a year. But COVID-19 has delayed his return home, postponing his long-awaited reunion with his family in Mwanza, Tanzania.
Asheville Archives: Zebulon Vance argues in favor of slavery, 1860
“Plainly and unequivocally, common sense says keep the slave where he is now — in servitude,” declared Zebulon Vance, in a May 16, 1860 address to the House of Representatives.
Asheville Archives: The Asheville Orthopedic Home combats the 1948 polio outbreak
In 1948, amid a growing polio outbreak, city residents contributed what they could to the Asheville Orthopedic Home, a local health center that cared for the region’s infected children.
Safety measures tighten as the city combats the 1948 polio outbreak
In July 1948, as the number of polio cases and related deaths increased in Asheville, the city’s health department began enacting orders to limit social gatherings. Initial ordinances were directed at Asheville’s youth. But by month’s end, the entire city was subjected to new mandates.
Private colleges and universities plan amid uncertainties
This past spring, COVID-19 required schools to shift from in-person to online classes. Come fall, private colleges and universities are eager to reopen their campuses. For many of these institutions, the financial consequences of remaining closed could be dire.