Healing From Whiteness – Session 5: Reconstruction and White Rage

After the Civil War and the end of slavery, Black communities across the South built schools, churches, businesses, and political power. For a brief moment, freedom seemed within reach. But this progress was met with violent backlash. Former enslavers were pardoned, Black Codes restricted rights, and white rage fueled organized terror to dismantle Black advancement.

In this session, we’ll explore:

• The resilience of Black communities during Reconstruction

• The rise of Black legislators, HBCUs, and self-sufficient economies

• White retaliation through violence, restrictive laws, and economic sabotage

• The state’s role in suppressing Black power and restoring white dominance