What was the Atlanta Race Riot of 1906 characterized as by media outlets at the time?

The Atlanta Race Riot of 1906 was characterized by media outlets at the time as a "racial massacre of negroes" primarily due to the violence and chaos that erupted between white citizens and African American residents in Atlanta. This event was precipitated by a series of inflammatory news reports that suggested African American men were assaulting white women, which incited public fear and aggression. As the riots unfolded, armed mobs targeted African Americans, leading to numerous deaths and injuries. The sensationalist media coverage often perpetuated racial stereotypes and further fueled the violence, contributing to the narrative of an organized attack on the African American community. This characterization reflects the societal tensions and racial dynamics of the period in Georgia and the South as a whole. The term "racial massacre" captures the severity and brutality of the incident, illustrating how the media framed it within the context of racial conflict and societal unrest.