Feature: Over a Century

OVER A CENTURY

The 1920s were a glittering reward for the tragic decade prior, and people were ready to leave everything behind them. This led to a social shift towards progressive ideologies, alongside an economic boom after World War I. As we mark the two-year anniversary of COVID-19 on our delayed start to this new decade, I cannot help but notice that nearly 100 years ago, the world was marking the ‘end’ of another pandemic.

The 1920s, also known as the Roaring 20s, began two years after the Spanish Influenza.¹ Being one of the deadliest pandemics in history, it killed 20-50 million people in under 3 years. Like COVID-19, this airborne virus spread quickly with no drug treatment or vaccine. By 1919, the Spanish Influenza had spread across the globe, and a natural immunity was developed. Strains of the flu were still prevalent in the following years, however, the effects were much less severe. This sickness never really went away, with thousands of people still contracting it yearly.²

As we hope to see the end of the COVID-19 pandemic, we wonder what the coming years have in store for us. They say that history repeats itself, as we have seen throughout, well, history. In the 1920s, a household automobile manufacturer released their most affordable model yet.³ This led to nearly every American family owning a car, and therefore, the construction of highways. Similarly, in recent years, we have witnessed the rise of electric cars, as they become increasingly affordable. We have seen more electric car charging stations pop up due to the increased prevalence of the modern-day novelty.4

The 1920s were a time of innovation with new industries, such as aviation and ‘modern electronics,’ blowing up because of increased wealth and labour. The producers of older products took on the aforementioned car manufacturer’s idea of the assembly line to produce more products and employ more workers.5 Working-class citizens who previously lived in the countryside moved into cities with the promise of finding jobs and wealth—the promise of living the ‘American Dream,’ which was just coming to be after World War I. New jobs were created due to industrialized mass production, and because of this mass production and influx of wealth, more people could participate in capitalist society.6

Today, social media is filled with individuals who have chosen to return to self-employment. We see a rise of small businesses and content creators opposing the assembly line idea. It seems as though the changes in manufacturing over the last century are facing a downfall. While mass production is profitable, overproduction and overconsumption are detrimental to the environment, which is of

increasing concern. Also, with the increase in people choosing to work for themselves and the shift towards a service economy over a manufacturing-centred economy, we see the assembly line model in decline.7

Taking place in the 1920s, the Harlem Renaissance was an important time for Black history. Harlem was a place of artistic and cultural exploration, and the 1920s are considered a golden age of African-

American history.8 However, Black people in America were still far from free in what, for many, was the only home they had ever known.

The ‘Red Summer’ of 1919 describes a series of antiblack violence in the north by white people, fuelled by a ‘fear’ of Black people who were anything but a threat.9 This parallels the anti-Black violence we still see in America, and around the world, today. While things have changed for Black folks in America over the past century, the core of the issues and their horrific outcomes have not.

Moreover, after World War I, the Ottoman Empire fell and was conquered. The Ottomans lost power over the Muslim world, and the European powers gained control and split it to their liking.10 The West then chose leaders for the newly divided land. Although these new leaders were not imperialists, there was still very heavy Western influence steering away from Islamic influence in governing. The Muslims found themselves asking if this Western way of living was right for them. They were not rejecting modernity, which at the time was a wholly Western concept, but finding ways to balance it with Islam.

Movements in Muslim countries are still trying to overcome the effects of colonialism and the fallout after the colonizers abandoned operations.11 In the West, we strive to create a new Muslim identity, amid a new modern world.

The 1920s were a decade of change. Some areas, such as technology, have evolved dramatically throughout the century. Others have not. In this decade, I hope we can wok together to ensure the echo of our roaring twenties will be heard will into the next century.

THEY SAY THAT HISTORY REPEATS ITSELF, AS WE HAVE SEEN THROUGHOUT, WELL, HISTORY. ,, ,,

Firdose Khan, 14

1. Coy, Peter. "The 1920s Roared After a Pandemic, and the 2020s Will Try." 2. History.com Editors. "Spanish Flu." History.com, A&E Television Networks. ³. Ford. "The Model T." Ford Corporate, Ford, corporate. 4. Rowlatt, Justin. "Why Electric Cars Will Take over Sooner than You Think." BBC News, BBC, 1 June 2021. 5. Course, Crash, director. The Roaring 20's: Crash Course US History #32, YouTube, 16 Mar. 2021. 6. Crashcourse, director. The Great Depression. YouTube, YouTube, 4 Oct. 2013. 7. Indeed Editorial Team. "16 Trends Shaping the Global Economy (and How You Hire)." Indeed, Indeed, 22 June 2016. 8. Course, Crash, director. The Roaring 20's: Crash Course US History #32, YouTube, 16 Mar. 2021. 9. Crashcourse, director. The Red Summer of 1919: Crash Course Black American History #25. YouTube, YouTube, 12 Nov. 2021. 10. History.com Editors. "Ottoman Empire." History.com, A&E Television Networks, 3 Nov. 2017. 11. “Timeline of 20th-Century Muslim History.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 1 Dec. 2021.