Charlotte's satirical crusader for social change

Plus: Top news of the week — Inside Aldersgate woes; CMS sees drop in guns; Charlotte Prep to rebuild; Office vacancies rise

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Historical Heavyweights: Harry Golden — He won national acclaim for using humor to champion civil rights

Editor’s note: You see their names on street signs or parks, but who were some of the big-name people from decades ago who shaped Charlotte? They have fascinating stories, and at the start of the year on Saturdays, we’re sharing them with you.

by John Short

Today, Harry Golden’s unique skill set would make him an influencer or pundit.

In the 1950s and ’60s, however, he was an author and satirist who rose to national renown for his use of humor to point out the absurdities of everyday oppression in American life.

Described in his New York Times obituary as a “roly-poly, cigar-chomping, bourbon-drinking editor,” he was an immigrant, social critic and even felon who ran in elite social and political circles — all from his home in Elizabeth in his adopted city of Charlotte.

Golden, shown here circa 1970s, decades after he drew national attention for taking on the Jim Crow South from his adopted hometown of Charlotte. (Courtesy of UNC Charlotte)

Born Harry Goldhirsch in what was the Austro-Hungarian empire in 1902, Golden’s parents immigrated to America in 1905 and settled in New York. His father was a teacher and later the editor of a Jewish newspaper. Golden grew up with a thirst for knowledge and access to the written word, even selling newspapers at an early age. 

After high school, he studied at the City College of New York, during which time he became involved in political and literary discourse and sharpened his interest in championing social reforms.

During the 1920s, he gravitated to work as a stockbroker, but in 1929 his firm went bankrupt, and Golden was charged with mail fraud. He would be convicted and sent to serve his sentence at the Atlanta Federal Penitentiary. After his release in 1933, he worked odd jobs in New York, selling ads for the New York Post, among other publications, and ultimately moving down to Charlotte in 1941. 

Seeking a fresh start, Harry changed his last name to Golden and worked selling ads and writing editorials for The Charlotte Observer and Charlotte Labor Journal. It was in his adopted hometown that Golden would find his voice and become a nationally known champion of civil rights and social justice.

In 1942, Golden published the first edition of his own newspaper, which he called the “Carolina Israelite,” with the help of The Charlotte News. Drawing on his experience selling newspaper ads, and finding his voice as a writer, he had found a way to delve into his intellectual passions and carve out a new career. By 1944, Golden had full responsibility for writing, editing, publishing and printing the newspaper and would send out issues monthly or bimonthly (the timing of new editions was famously unreliable) to a growing national circulation.

In these pages, Golden’s commentary solidified him as a champion of the oppressed, whether that be the poor, religiously persecuted or racial minorities. He fearlessly took on the taboo topics of the time, advocating for equal rights and an end to religious discrimination.

As his popularity grew, Golden was keenly aware of the anachronism of someone with his religious and social convictions in the Jim Crow South, saying: “I get away with my ideas in the South because no Southerner takes me — a Jew, a Yankee and a radical — seriously. They mostly think of a Jew as a substitute Negro, anyway.” 

This uncanny skill to be liked while not being seen as a radical threat was due to Golden’s ability to use humor to point out the injustices in American society. As his 16-page newspaper grew, Harry filled its pages with his satirical articles offering “suggestions” to integrate black citizens into white culture with ridiculous ideas that managed to highlight the humanity of all people and the absurdities of segregationist policies. 

The Carolina Israelite would grow to an international circulation of over 30,000 by the 1950s as the cause of civil rights began to attract more attention nationwide. The Israelite found among its subscribers the political and intellectual elite, including 20 U.S. senators, Harry Truman and celebrity authors like William Faulkner, Ernest Hemingway and Carl Sandburg (a close friend of Harry’s).

Golden’s satirical essays made him famous. One introduced his “Vertical Negro Plan” in the May-June 1956 issue. Harry observed that at bank teller lines and grocery stores in the South, black and white people seemed to have no issue standing to wait in the same lines as one another, and therefore the nation had achieved “Vertical Integration” between the races. The problem, it seemed to Harry, was that different races sitting next to one another is where white folks seemed to take issue. So he proposed that schools, lunch counters and movie theaters should simply remove the seats so that all patrons could stand, thereby removing any friction between the races.

“Since no one in the South pays the slightest attention to a Vertical Negro,” he wrote, “this will completely solve our problem.”

This essay was published by Time magazine in 1957, drawing nationwide attention to Golden’s humorous approach to serious societal concerns.

A similar essay of Golden’s highlighted his “White Baby” plan for the integration of movie theaters in the South. He had observed that black citizens were allowed into theaters without issues and could even sit in the white section of the theater if they were escorting a white child. Again, Golden saw an opportunity to solve this issue of segregation and suggested that all black theater-goers simply ensure that they are accompanying a white child when they attend the theater, and no one should have any issues.

Golden extended his activism beyond just the pages of the Carolina Israelite, and wrote an anecdote of an experience he had suggesting that a department store owner in North Carolina place an “Out of Order” sign above the “white” drinking fountain. The store owner and Harry observed that as three weeks passed, white customers were drinking from the “colored” fountain without issue. “It is possible,” Golden wrote, “that whites may accept desegregation, if they are assured that the segregated facilities still exist, albeit ‘out-of-order.’ My key to the plan is to keep the sign up for at least two years. We must do this thing gradually.”

By 1958, Golden compiled his essays into a book titled “Only in America.” The book was a smashing success, becoming a bestseller and being adapted into a Broadway play. Financial success followed, and Golden found himself appearing regularly on Jack Paar’s “Tonight Show,” which only helped swell the subscriber count of the Carolina Israelite.

At the height of his success, Golden had to confront his past as a convicted felon. Few, if any, of his readers knew of his life before changing his name to Harry Golden, or his time at the Atlanta Federal Penitentiary. But all that was made public via letters sent in to other newspapers.

In response, Golden owned up to his past and was embraced by his allies, which ultimately would only add to his mystique as a champion of the common man. Former Democratic Presidential Candidate Adlai Stevenson would write: “I suspect that this experienced Harry Golden’s understanding, lengthened his vision, and enlarged his heart. His subsequent life and work are best evidence of this.”

Golden would publish the Carolina Israelite until the last issue was sent in January-February of 1968.

Golden was a mainstay in the Elizabeth neighborhood, living and working along Elizabeth Avenue most of his career. In July 1973, Harry moved into the house at 1701 8th St., right along Hawthorne Lane, and lived there until his death in 1981. The home is now a historic property, and a marker honoring Harry’s contributions can be seen a block away in Independence Park at the corner of 7th Street and Hawthorne Lane. Harry is also honored with a mural in the Elizabeth on Seventh development (next to Rosemont and across the street from The Crunkleton).

Harry Golden’s former home on 8th Street in Elizabeth is now a historic property. (Photo by John Short)

John Short is a freelance writer and co-host of The Charlotte Podcast who loves digging up Charlotte’s past and pondering its future. Say hey when you see him on the streetcar. 

➡️ This is our third season of “Historical Heavyweights.” For previous installments of this feature — including profiles of settler Thomas Polk, doctor J.T. Williams, businessman Edward Dilworth Latta, westside visionary Henry L. McCrorey, snack pioneer Philip Van Every and more — check out our Historical Heavyweights page.

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Today’s secondary sponsor is Christian McBride, The Movement Revisited | Blumenthal Arts (blumenthalarts.org). Grammy Award®-winning bassist and host of NPR’s Jazz Night in America Christian McBride presents his acclaimed opus “The Movement Revisited: A Musical Portrait of Four Icons” at Belk Theater.

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This week in Charlotte: CMPD boosts uptown presence; CMS cutbacks loom; ‘No’ to big Wells Fargo sign; What’s next for Charlotte FC?

On Saturdays, The Ledger sifts through the local news of the week and links to the top articles — even if they appeared somewhere else. We’ll help you get caught up. That’s what Saturdays are for.

Education

• CMS warns of cutbacks: (WFAE) Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools is warning that the end of federal Covid relief funding could result in staff cutbacks or reassignments, since $60M that is going away this year is “attached to people.” 

• CMS reports drop in guns, violent and criminal incidents: (WFAE) CMS saw a significant decrease in reported guns on campuses, while statewide data indicated a 24% increase in gun incidents across North Carolina schools. CMS also recorded just under 10 violent and criminal incidents per 1,000 students, above the state average but down from the previous year, with possession of controlled substances representing over half of CMS incidents.

• Charlotte Prep to rebuild after fire: (Axios Charlotte) Charlotte Preparatory School on Sardis Road in south Charlotte plans to build an $11M lower school starting this spring, for grades K-4, to replace the one destroyed in a fire last year. 

Politics

• Election season is almost here: The N.C. primary election season starts soon. Early voting runs Feb. 15 through March 2, and primary election day is March 5. Find your polling location.

• You’re invited: Come meet candidates running for office in Charlotte at an informal drop-in mix and mingle on Monday, Feb. 12, at the Innovation Barn from 6:00 to 7:30 with candidate introductions at 6:45. Register here. It’s free to attend. 

Local News

• Inside Aldersgate's financial woes: (Ledger 🔒) Drawing on emails and interviews, The Ledger took an in-depth look at the financial struggles of east Charlotte retirement community Aldersgate. It revealed that the problems were years in the making, that residents expressed concern about the CEO’s pay and service cutbacks and that whistleblowers met with regulators at a secret meeting at a UNC Charlotte Marriott a year ago.

• CMPD to increase presence uptown: (WFAE) Responding to concerns about crime uptown, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police say they will have “increased visibility” of marked police cars and uniformed officers in five areas around the center city.

Business

• Office vacancies are widespread: (Ledger 🔒) Office vacancies in Charlotte have risen to 23%, with uptown having a slightly lower rate of 21%, prompting city and county leaders to consider incentives to revitalize aging uptown office towers.

• More power needed: (Business North Carolina) Major economic development expansions in North and South Carolina are leading Duke Energy to project that it will need to generate eight times as much power as it estimated two years ago. 

• A thumbs-down for big Wells Fargo signs: (Ledger) Citing concerns about approving a supersized sign on one of uptown’s most recognizable buildings, a Charlotte-Mecklenburg Planning Commission committee this week voted down Wells Fargo’s request to install two big signs on 550 South Tryon, the former Duke Energy Center.

Sports

• As star players depart, what's next for Charlotte FC? (Fútbol Friday) Charlotte FC’s star striker Karol Swiderski has signed with Hellas Verona in Italy, and winger Kamil Jozwiak has joined Granada FC in La Liga, leaving the team with two designated player spots. Swiderski's deal includes a condition for Verona to buy his contract if they avoid relegation, while Jozwiak’s departure is permanent, providing roster flexibility for the team.

• Charlotte makes a play for tennis tournament: (Biz Journal, subscriber-only) Charlotte is being considered as a potential site for the Women’s Tennis Association Finals, a season-ending championship tournament, for multiple years beginning in 2027. 

• Private school athletes to profit from NIL: (Observer) North Carolina private high school student-athletes will now have the ability to benefit from their name, image, and likeness (NIL) rights. 

• Ex-Hornet says losing is in Charlotte’s ‘DNA’: (Sports Illustrated) Former Charlotte Hornets player Terry Rozier, who was traded last week to the Miami Heat, told reporters: “When you’re in Charlotte, you’re kind of used to losing. It’s kind of your DNA. … Over here, it’s the total opposite. No one wants to lose. No one is fine with it.”

From the Ledger family of newsletters

Monday

• 🏆Nominations open for The Ledger’s 40 Over 40 Awards: The 40 Over 40 Awards, presented by U.S. Bank, recognize difference-makers in our community who are in their 40s and beyond. Nominations are open now through Feb. 21. Winners will be announced in March, and we’ll celebrate them on April 30.

• Words from the wise: The Charlotte Ledger Podcast regularly interviews 40 Over 40 Award recipients and asks them what advice they would share with their younger selves. Check out some of the advice they’ve given over the past year. 

• Elected officials urge Atrium to work with charity: Charlotte City Council member Dimple Ajmera is urging Atrium Health to consider working with RIP Medical Debt, a nonprofit that buys unpaid medical debt and forgives it.

• Logo unveiled for new high school: The upcoming Ballantyne Ridge High School has unveiled its logos, featuring a creative incorporation of a howling wolf within the letter “R” and the school’s colors of orange and blue.

Wednesday (🔒)

• New construction taps the brakes: Charlotte experienced a slowdown in commercial construction in 2023, with new data indicating the slowest year in several years across various real estate categories, attributed to higher interest rates making many projects financially unviable.

• Developer lingo: Brush up on your commercial real estate lingo, including terms like “pencil,” “deliver,” “velocity” and “concept.” 

• Preview social district with us: Charlotte’s first social district, which will allow people to carry alcoholic drinks legally outside, is set to launch in Plaza Midwood in early March, and an exclusive preview event hosted by The Charlotte Ledger in partnership with the Plaza Midwood Merchants Association and CLT Public Relations will offer insights into how the social district will operate and its implications for local businesses and the public. 

• WSOC imperiled on U-Verse/DirecTV: Cox Media Group, the owner of Charlotte ABC affiliate WSOC-TV, is in a dispute with DirecTV and U-Verse over terms of carrying programming, raising concerns that the channel might be dropped from the lineup, potentially affecting popular shows like “The Bachelor,” NBA basketball, “The View” and “Shark Tank.”

• Toppman reviews Neil Simon's ‘Rumors’: Arts critic Lawrence Toppman reviews the new Theatre Charlotte production of Neil Simon’s “Rumors.”

• Masonic lodge in Cotswold sold to homebuilder: Empire Communities, a Charlotte-based homebuilder, has acquired Excelsior Lodge #261, a Masonic lodge located on 5.3 acres in Cotswold, for $5.35M. The lodge was co-founded in 1867 by former North Carolina Gov. Zebulon Vance.

Ways of Life (🔒)

• The men's choir, AMEN, at Little Rock A.M.E. Zion Church in Charlotte, faced profound loss as three of their members passed away in a week, each contributing unique vocal ranges and a passion for music and community outreach.

Transit Time

• A road conundrum in Ballantyne: The North Carolina Department of Transportation is reassessing plans to widen U.S. 521 in the Ballantyne area, facing challenges from increased traffic and objections from residents. Options include elevated intersections or a tunnel. The project's timeline and design are yet to be finalized.

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Executive editor: Tony Mecia; Managing editor: Cristina Bolling; Staff writer: Lindsey Banks; Business manager: Brie Chrisman, BC Creative