On December 14, 1901, The Saturday Evening Post published an essay by Paul Laurence Dunbar in which he described some of the good and bad points of African American society in Washington, D. C. Paul lived in the city from the fall of 1897 until January 1902, and he and his wife Alice were among the most prominent Black residents of the capital.
As a race, we have never been a people to let the pleasures of the moment pass. Nowhere is this more clearly exemplified than in the social doings of the Negro in Washington, the city where this aspect of the colored man's life has reached its highest development. Here exists a society which is sufficient unto itself -- a society which is satisfied with its own condition, and which is not asking for social intercourse with whites. Here come together the flower of colored citizenship from all parts of the country. The Negro in Washington forms and carries on a social life which no longer can be laughed at or caricatured. One of the beauties and one of the defects of Washington life among us is this very business of forming into cliques. A severe high and mighty, intellectual set takes itself with eminent seriousness and looks down on all the people who are not studying something, or graduating, or reading papers, or delivering lectures. But somehow in spite of this attitude toward them, the smart young and even the smart old people go on having dances, teas and card parties, and talking small talk, quite oblivious.
"Negro Society in Washington," by Paul Laurence Dunbar. The Saturday Evening Post (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania). December 14, 1901. Pages 9 and 18.
As Paul mentioned, African Americans from all parts of the country settled in Washington and created a self-sufficient society. At the time, more than 30% of the city's population was Black, compared to the national average of about 12%, and less than 3% in Paul's home state of Ohio.
In contrast to his favorable comments about Washington in The Saturday Evening Post, Paul's opinion was more cynical in an essay for Harper's Weekly. He implied that as Black residents of Washington gained status and wealth, they lost their integrity and authenticity.
Washington is the city where the big men of little towns come to be disillusioned. Whether black or white, the little great soon seek their level here. The pleasure and importance of negro life in Washington are overrated by the colored people. It is a comedy of the period played out by earnest actors, who have learned their parts well, but who on that very account are disposed to mouth and strut a little and watch the gallery.
"Negro Life in Washington," by Paul Laurence Dunbar. Harper's Weekly (New York, New York). January 13, 1900. Page 32.
In letters to friends, Paul wrote bitterly about Washington, and Alice complained to Paul about the pressure she felt to conform to the expectations of Washington society.
I still stagnate here among books on medicine and natural science, in what I have come to believe the most God-forsaken and unliterary town in America. I hate Washington very cordially and evidently it returns the compliment, for my health is continually poor here.
Paul Laurence Dunbar to Dr. F., October 2, 1898. "Unpublished Letters of Paul Laurence Dunbar to a Friend." The Crisis (New York, New York). June 1920. Page 73.
From the depth of this, the meanest, most unliterary town in America, I send you a copy of my first long story, "The Uncalled."
Paul Laurence Dunbar to Colonel Robert G. Ingersoll, October 2, 1898. Paul Laurence Dunbar Papers, Ohio History Connection (Microfilm edition, Roll 2).
I am looking forward to a pleasant little coterie of us next winter. Ella and Miss Lamprey, Alice Davis and maybe one or two other congenial souls -- if there are any -- who can meet and talk books without making anyone feel uncomfortable, as is generally the case when more than two people meet in Washington. We want just us, and we'll play whist and eat oysters and drink beer and turn up our noses at "sassiety" -- and enjoy ourselves in our own way regardless of anybody else.
Alice Moore Dunbar to Paul Laurence Dunbar, September 3, 1898. Paul Laurence Dunbar Papers, Ohio History Connection (Microfilm edition, Roll 8).