Esosa Osayamwen

Cultural Chronicles – Uncovering the Legacy of Oppressive Black Architecture in Memphis and Other Cities

Introduction

Cultural chronicles – uncovering the legacy of oppressive black architecture in memphis and other cities. Explore the oppressive legacy of Black architecture, from slave cabins to housing projects, revealing how structures perpetuate racial inequality in Memphis and beyond.

Abstract

Architectural structures and the spaces they create are not neutral; instead, they mirror the values and power dynamics of the societies in which they are constructed. This observation is particularly noticeable in the buildings African Americans inhabited throughout American history. Nevertheless, Black architecture has yet to be recognized as a culturally significant field within academia. To tackle this issue, this paper seeks to expand the architectural discourse by exploring what constitutes Black architecture. Specifically, we will investigate the histories of five houses that hold a particular place in African American historical architecture:• The barrack,• The slave cabin,• The shotgun house,• The housing projects,• The Black suburban homes.Our investigation will delve into the repercussions of each style, the societal goals in establishing each class, and the policies passed that instigated their creations. We will emphasize the connections between these styles and how each type has changed over time. This exploration will allow us to scrutinize Memphis’ architectural choices, placing them in the broader context of architectural trends at the national and regional levels. Exploring Black architecture’s evolution will also help us comprehend how architecture can contribute to racial inequality in our society. We aim to challenge the notion that architecture is only a symbol of beauty, shape, and form and instead recognize its potential to perpetuate subjugation, oppression, and control.

Review

This paper proposes a highly ambitious and timely exploration into a critical, yet under-recognized, facet of architectural history: the role of built environments in shaping and perpetuating racial inequality within African American communities. The abstract clearly articulates the central premise that architectural structures are not neutral, but rather embody societal values and power dynamics. By seeking to expand the architectural discourse to formally recognize "Black architecture" as a culturally significant field, the authors position this work as a vital contribution to both architectural studies and broader interdisciplinary fields. The proposed analytical framework—investigating the repercussions, societal goals, and instigating policies behind architectural styles from barracks to Black suburban homes—promises a comprehensive and nuanced understanding of how architecture has functioned as a tool of subjugation and control, moving beyond purely aesthetic considerations. The scope of the proposed investigation is commendable, tracing an architectural lineage from the barrack and slave cabin to housing projects and Black suburban homes. This chronological and thematic approach, emphasizing connections and evolution over time, offers a compelling narrative of how architectural forms have adapted to, and been adapted by, oppressive systems. The intention to scrutinize Memphis' architectural choices within national and regional trends is particularly welcome, suggesting a grounded case study that can illuminate broader patterns. However, the paper's title, "Oppressive Black Architecture," might benefit from a subtle rephrasing to clarify its intent. While the abstract effectively explains the focus on architecture *affecting* Black communities as a tool of oppression, the title could be misconstrued as referring to architecture *designed by* Black individuals that is itself oppressive, potentially obscuring the paper's powerful core argument about systemic architectural subjugation. Overall, "Cultural Chronicles" presents a significant and necessary intervention in architectural and historical scholarship. Its explicit aim to challenge the notion of architecture as merely a symbol of beauty and instead expose its potential to perpetuate oppression is a powerful and valuable contribution. For this work to achieve its full potential, the authors will need to demonstrate rigorous historical and archival support for their claims regarding policies and societal goals underlying each architectural form. Given the broad historical sweep, maintaining analytical depth across all five architectural styles will be crucial. Furthermore, while the focus on oppression is vital, briefly acknowledging instances of Black agency, adaptation, or resistance within these architectural constraints, even if not the primary focus, could add a further layer of complexity and resilience to the narrative. This paper holds the promise of profoundly re-shaping how we understand the relationship between the built environment and racial justice.

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