Night Riders in Black Folk History

by Gladys-Marie Fry

During and after the days of slavery in the United States, one way in which slaveowners, overseers, and other whites sought to control the black population was to encourage and exploit a fear of the supernatural. By planting rumors of evil spirits, haunted places, body-snatchers, and "night doctors--even by masquerading as ghosts themselves--they discouraged the unauthorized movement of blacks, particularly at night, by making them afraid of meeting otherworldly beings. Blacks out after dark also risked encounters with "patterollers" (mounted surveillance patrols) or, following the Civil War, the Ku Klux Klan. Whatever their guise, all of these "night riders" had one to manipulate blacks through terror and intimidation.

First published in 1975, this book explores the gruesome figure of the night rider in black folk history. Gladys-Marie Fry skillfully draws on oral history sources to show that, quite apart from its veracity, such lore became an important facet of the lived experience of blacks in America. This classic work continues to be a rich source for students and teachers of folklore, African American history, and slavery and postemancipation studies.

Genres: Folklore, History, Nonfiction, American History

272 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1975

Reviews

[George]

that the nuances of political behaviors/dispositions have unquestionable roots in actions that are removed and barely visible in the present but have real psychological and historical roots in the activities of the white power structure that acted maliciously in the past and is still benefiting from it now. run on sentence!

[Fraser Sherman]

By interviewing and reading earlier interviews with former slaves and children of slaves, Fry constructs an image of how the South manipulated slaves and free blacks with fear. If you went North you'd be killed by bodysnatchers and dissected by medical schools. Abolitionists sold you into slavery in Cuba, or killed and ate you. In some cases this veered into supernatural threats, such as ghosts haunting slaves if they stayed went out late.
Interesting.

[clarkconquers]

Haunting and frustrating. A great resource to help understand how psychological terror can be weaponized to an entire vulnerable population and the effects of that

[Destiny Varnado]

Night riders hold a significant place in Black history, symbolizing resilience, activism, and the fight for justice. Historically, they were often involved in secret efforts to challenge oppression and improve communities under the cover of darkness, embodying the spirit of resistance and hope. As a Black woman, understanding and appreciating this part of history is vital because it highlights the bravery and leadership within our communities that often go unnoticed. Celebrating night riders reminds us of the importance of standing strong in the face of adversity and continuing the legacy of those who paved the way for progress and equality. Their stories inspire resilience, pride, and a sense of collective strength.

[Chris Antonsen]

This work is not perfect (none are), but it's beautifully revealing and used oral history research to illuminate important perspectives on the cultural transition from Antebellum South to Reconstruction and the abilities of whites to contain subjected black people.