Ossian Sweet.
A mans home is his castle, and as his castle he has the right to defend it……or does he?
Ossian Sweet (1895 to 1960) was an American doctor from Orlando, Florida whom practiced in Detroit Michigan in the 1920’s. Dr. Sweet arrived in Detroit, MI by way of Wilberforce University of Xenia, Ohio and medical school at Howard University of Washington, DC. Dr. Smith was involved in a significant legal case in U.S History. Dr. Smith an African American purchased a home in a predominately white neighborhood in northeastern Detroit. This was during a time where Racism was prevalent and obvious. The White occupants of the neighborhood did not want Dr. Sweet and his family in the neighborhood because they were black. So on the day of move in and the day after they formed a mob of approximately 300 to 500 people outside of his home. They then proceeded to throw stones, break windows and generally act in a rowdy fashion. Dr. Sweets having anticipated the threatening behavior of the times was accompanied by some of his closest male friends. As the crowd’s intensity grew outside of Dr. Sweet’s home, shots were fired. One man down and a few injured. Dr. Sweets and his associates were taken to jail and tried. Ultimately an all white jury acquitted Dr. Sweets of all charges. Subsequently, Dr. sweets lost his daughter and wife to tuberculosis. He also engaged in several failed medical ventures. With decreasing health and bad business luck, Dr. Sweets slumped to depression and committed suicide in 1960.
Wow, unexpected ending. So sad but makes me thankful and appreciative of the times we live in today. Still not perfect but we’ve come a long way.
That is how it was in those times. People did not want to mix any kind of way. I think that sometimes we need to here stories like this or read them because alot of people have forgotten how it use to be in the united states. Now we have a black president and white me can actually jump LOL all seriousness. I am glad that we can all just get along.
Very interesting story I never heard of this guy. I consider myself a big history buff too. I see that he became a Dr. but what exactly did he contribute to society? I know a black guy back then becoming a Dr. is very big but I want to know why I need to get to know him.
Man let some fools mob outside my house! It’s on, choppers on deck!
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