The Negro Migrant in Pittsburgh

"The Negro Migrant in Pittsburgh" by Abraham Epstein is a historical account written in the early 20th century. The work delves into the socio-economic conditions faced by African American migrants who relocated to Pittsburgh during the World War I era, prompted by the need for labor in the steel industry amidst declining European immigration. The book aims to document the challenges associated with this migration, exploring various aspects such as housing, health, and labor dynamics. The opening of the study sets a critical stage for understanding the context of the Negro migration to Pittsburgh, which occurred as thousands of unskilled laborers moved north to fill labor shortages. Epstein begins by presenting statistical data illustrating the significant influx of African Americans into the city, emphasizing the accompanying housing crisis as migrants often crowded into unsuitable quarters. The author reflects on the difficult living conditions, marked by substandard accommodation and the over-utilization of available spaces, as various community sectors struggled to adjust to this rapid demographic change. Epstein's detailed analysis indicates that these migrants were not only seeking economic opportunities but also escaping oppressive conditions from their home states.