Lauren Collins traces 1898 Wilmington coup through four family stories on MS NOW
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Summary
MS NOW interviewed New Yorker staff writer Lauren Collins about her book on the 1898 Wilmington events. The segment described pre-coup Black economic and political success under a Fusionist multiracial government, the white supremacist overthrow, violence, and displacement of Black residents. Collins, presented as a Wilmington native, discussed local silence around the events, her research into four families, and connections to later racial progress and backlash. The discussion referenced federal designations of white supremacy threats and noted uncertainty over the death toll.
Editorial Assessment
The broadcast accurately recounts the established history of the 1898 events, including the coup's success in ousting the elected government and the range of casualty estimates. It correctly notes the thriving Black middle class and Fusion coalition. However, no verifiable record supports the specific book title, author background, or publication details presented. The segment's interpretive framing links 1898 directly to 21st-century politics with little counter-evidence or context on post-Reconstruction dynamics. Viewers receive a clear narrative of persistent white supremacy but miss nuances in historical estimates and broader scholarly debates on the period.
Key Moments
1898 Wilmington was the only successful coup in U.S. history
Widely described as such in historical analyses and official markers; Britannica and NC DNCR confirm the violent overthrow of the elected government.
Scores of Black men killed; estimates range from dozens to hundreds
Wikipedia and Britannica cite estimates of 14–60+ killed with higher figures up to 300; exact number remains unknown per state commission.
Three of ten aldermen were Black under the Fusion government
Consistent with period records of the interracial Fusion coalition controlling the city council.
DHS and FBI designate white supremacy as the most persistent and lethal domestic terrorist threat
Multiple official assessments from 2020–2021, including DHS drafts and FBI testimony, support this characterization.
New book 'They Stole a City' by Lauren Collins weaves stories of four Wilmington families
No public records or listings found for the book or this specific authorship tied to The New Yorker.
Notable Concerns
- Featured book and author details unverified in public sources