The events that led to the Wilmington Massacre began with deep-seated racial tensions in the city. The African American population in Wilmington was thriving economically and politically, which threatened the white power structure. This tension was exacerbated by the spread of slander, lies, and propaganda from two local newspapers, The Wilmington Star and The Wilmington Messenger. These newspapers printed inflammatory articles demonizing African Americans and stoking fear among the white population.

Alexander Manly was a prominent African American journalist and the editor of The Daily Record, a newspaper that was owned and operated by African Americans. Manly was significant to the events of the Wilmington Massacre because he was targeted by white supremacists for his outspoken editorial stance on race relations. His editorials challenged the prevailing narrative of white superiority and called for racial equality, which angered many white residents of Wilmington.

One particularly incendiary editorial written by Manly was published on November 8, 1898, in The Daily Record. In this article, titled "Letter to the Editor: A Word of Warning," Manly addressed the topic of interracial relationships and called out the hypocrisy of white men who fathered children with black women but then lynched black men for allegedly raping white women. Manly's words struck a nerve with the white community and further fueled the already tense racial climate in the city.

The slander and propaganda spread by The Wilmington Star and The Wilmington Messenger, combined with Manly's provocative editorials, ultimately contributed to the violent events of November 10, 1898. A white mob attacked the African American community, resulting in the deaths of many African Americans and the burning of The Daily Record office building.