When thinking back on history we often focus on the people we perceive as driving its big events, rather than the everyday locations where history happens. Because of this, many historic locations are destroyed or abandoned because the history behind them is not fully appreciated. In Atlanta, many such historic sites from the civil rights movement are in such a situation. The city is in danger of loosing historic locations such as Paschal’s restaurant, where "Leaders like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. came to Paschal’s to strategize. So did students from the nearby black colleges and universities". Locations such as Paschal's were important parts of the civil rights movement. They provided places for activists to network, organize, and unwind. The owners of the restaurant fed and housed activists, and even posted bail for them on occasion. "The former restaurant and the old Paschal’s motel are among several civil rights sites around Atlanta that have received little recognition, despite the city’s image as a destination for civil rights tourism". Because these locations are not as well known, and aren't part of the master narrative of the civil rights movement they don't receive the funding necessary to preserve their history: "“Dr. King was just part of the story of the civil rights movement. And Dr. King didn’t do it alone,” he said. “You know, there were thousands and thousands of people who were involved in the struggle.” however Even the creation of MLK'S memorial required concerted effort from Coretta Scott King and other activists. Historians have the chance to preserve these historic locations, but that time is quickly running out due to the frugal construction of the buildings and the toll of the weather on them. "Preserving buildings, though, takes more than history. Jack Pyburn, an architect specializing in historic preservation at Lord Aeck Sargent, said other things matter too: money and political will." That political will must come from a younger generation of political charged activists who are committed to preserving the memory and legacy of the civil rights movement. These structures could serve as valuable tools for outreach and education in the civil rights movement going forward. However these sites of Black history are equally deserving of the attention that white historical spaces have been granted, and can teach us just as much, of not more, about our nation's history: "What happened here at Paschal’s, right where we’re standing is the story of the nation,”
https://www.wabe.org/civil-rights-sites-atlanta-remain-unrecognized-disrepair/
A blog dedicated to exploring the civil rights movement in Memphis, TN
It is very unfortunate that the city is looking to destroy the Paschal’s restaurant. This makes me think about how easily history can be lost when it does not fit the master narrative that society has constructed. To not acknowledge spaces that may appear to be inconspicuous can be a place of forging power and politics. People put their money in what is recognizably a part of the master narrative, instead of the spaces and places of justice work done behind the scenes.
ReplyDeleteThis is really interesting to think about, especially in the context of Memphis and our very own Civil Rights Museum. Originally being the Lorraine Motel, the area that is now downtown and S. Main is becoming highly gentrified. How do we contend with this reality that these spaces were originally parts of the black community. For the past 30 years, Jacqueline Smith has protested the Civil Rights Museum and its existence since it was repurposed from what used to be Lorraine Motel. Smith was originally a resident of the motel and makes it clear that this space has little resemblance to what it used to be.
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