Racial unrest and violence were widespread throughout the United States in the early 1900s. It was difficult to go any length of time without hearing about lynching of a black citizen, a violent mob against blacks or large riots murdering blacks. In Rosewood, Florida, a large-scale and turbulent incident occurred during times of extreme racial segregation. These Rosewood incidents became public as the entire black population chose to leave the small town. These black citizens feared for their lives as many racist and violent crimes were being perpetrated against people of their same race. Lynching had become so common that many blacks feared they would die if they did not do so. In Rosewood, the actual account of what happened was different from the story told to audiences through this film. A white woman named Fannie Taylor was married to a white man named James Taylor and they lived together just outside of Rosewood, Florida. Her husband, James, had gone to work that day and Fannie was home alone. She chose to cheat on her husband with a white man who some say worked for the Sea Board Airline Railroad; the same man who physically beat her while they were finishing sex that day. Her story in court and to people outside was that a black man came and “assaulted” her, both sexually and physically. As no one ever disputed that this attack was perpetrated by a black man, the unanimity of the white community that this attack was in fact a racial attack against her – her story has never been put back in question. Even though some blacks in the community knew they were eyewitnesses to the man coming out of the house, no one ever fought against Fannie... middle of paper ... they deserved something positive in return. These people in Rosewood suffered because of the color of their skin and nothing else. I realized that I am fortunate to have the choices available to me in education and athletics, and I am grateful to be able to play basketball for my school - because at he times they lived, they were simply lucky to be alive. and had no choice between sports or leisure activities. They were simply working for white people and trying to avoid death. We didn't give them the chances I have today. This film gave me a new and grateful vision of the society in which I live today. Works Cited Jones, M., Rivers, L., Colburn D., Dye, T. and Rogers, W. (1993, 12 22) . Documented history of the incident that occurred in Rosewood, Florida in January 1923. Retrieved from http://www.displaysforschools.com/rosewoodrp.html.