Reference no: EM133413719

Scenario: John Smith was an African American veteran of World War I. He was a member of the 369th Infantry Regiment, also known as the Harlem Hellfighters. After receiving recognition in France for bravery in battle and fighting to preserve democracy in Europe, Smith returned to his home in Philadelphia, PA. On the morning of May 10, 1919, Smith attended a local NAACP meeting, hoping to continue his fight for democracy in the United States. One attendee stated that black veterans like Smith were new men and world men, awakened by their experience abroad and whose power to invoke change was limitless. He emerged from the meeting with a sense of pride and a new sense of purpose. As he rounded the corner onto Pine Street, Smith found himself in the middle of an anti-black race riot. White mobs attempted to tear his uniform from his body, accusing him of Bolsevism for being a member of the NAACP, and demanding that he and other blacks in the neighborhood immediately leave the city. He overheard a black neighbor yell, "If you are attacked defend yourself like American citizens. When they tread upon your rights fight them to the bitter end."

Why did the riot happen? How should the blacks being attacked respond, according to Smith's point of view?