Please let's not forget to begin collecting art for the smART auction on Cooper, which takes place on Saturday, March 18th. This may sound like an early start, but in order to have a successful auction, we need to have a sufficient supply of artwork by the end of February! So, if you are an artist and would like to donate one of your drawings, paintings, prints...or know someone who is, contact me or Doug Branch.
Also, Bertha Looney's talk, "The Desegregation of The University of Memphis: A Personal Account" takes place on February 9th at 12:30 p.m. in the Farris Auditorium. Please try to make that event and show your support for Ms. Looney and for the Honors Program.
Without further delay, the topic of this post is, of course, your ideas for the Memphis: City as Text semester long project. What ideas are you considering? Your response need not be completely etched in granite, but you do need to have some idea about what interests you, and what you want to spend the rest of the term researching. So, I'm eager to hear your ideas and to give you some feedback.
When I moved to Memphis, I heard one phrase a lot “You’re here for the Memphis Renaissance.” Being a visitor for close to a decade, I can confirm this is true. There is expansion in food, entertainment, retail, public spaces – it seems every six months the Commercial Appeal runs a story about another large corporation setting up headquarters or a large retailer setting up shop. The reaction is the same – “Take that Nashville!” And while it’s been beautiful to watch, it’s strikingly apparent where this expansion is taking place. Downtown, selected spots of Midtown and East Memphis or white majority neighborhoods. I was inspired by Rushing’s analysis of how Memphis tried to brand itself as a “white city” in the late 19th and early 20th century. I want to make the case that Memphis may be continuing this today and center the project around the debate of a particular bumper sticker I see “Midtown is Memphis.” This idea that Midtown is a shining beacon of what Memphis could be, is glorifying white culture and shutting down and out minorities. It rings eerily similar to the branding of the city as “white” with the display of Civil War general memorials and monuments.
ReplyDeleteIn my Memphis: City as Text project I want to echo Rushing’s work and show how it can be applied today during the “Memphis Renaissance.” I also want to pose the question – how can we be smarter and is anyone paying attention to this? I’m interested in visiting economic development boards, urban housing or any government agency supposedly involved in expansion or gentrification. I also want to interview citizens on both sides of the aisle, those who found the slogan helpful and those hurtful. I feel there is some part of this presentation that must contain visual aide, an audience needs to see Memphis and to feel the difference in neighborhoods, especially in terms of where they are developing. I’m not sure if film is possible for me at this time, but it is of interest to me. If not possible, a photo series would also work well.
It’s a big undertaking but it was the first thought that entered my head reading Rushing as I had just explained to a friend why that sticker bothered me so much. And as the weeks have progressed I could not find another topic I felt as strongly about. It intersects a lot of my interests, between race, politics and especially the economics of politics. Economic development is something I’m interested in as a career path and I think this project will allow me to ask questions about Memphis that will engage both me and an audience of Memphians.
You are correct, Liza: this _is_ a big undertaking. However, you seem very passionate and dedicated, and that is key to being successful with this pursuit. I like your idea very much and I say go forward with it!
DeleteFor my Memphis: City as Text semester-long project, I'd like to focus on the National Civil Rights Museum. I have always been fascinated with Martin Luther King Jr. and the impact he made on our society as a whole. I'd like to delve into things that most people may not know about Martin Luther King Jr. or the National Civil Rights Museum. I'd also like to learn more about both topics myself. I'm glad this project will give me the chance to do so.
ReplyDeleteI will like to do a PowerPoint presenting facts as well as historical photos, and possibly a scrapbook I created that has my own original photos. I hope that people will not only learn from my project, but may also adapt a new perspective on the Civil Rights Movement or Martin Luther King Jr.
Obviously this is an appropriate (if a bit broad) topic. Though, I am sure you will do what you can to narrow it as you see fit. I think you are on the right track in terms of presenting something that few people know about--but finding that kernel of interest may be the most challenging part of all. I would be interested in seeing how your scrapbook develops--and how you might transfer your findings to a Power Point. I am fully behind you!
DeleteFor my project, I would like to focus on the literary community in Memphis. I want to do this by taking a quick look at the lack of education in Memphis in the past and discuss some of the reasons why our city fell so far behind. I want to juxtapose this with the way the literary community is blossoming here now. As a child, I noticed that our city started to place some importance on literature when the CLUE program was offered to me in elementary school. Just before that, my school started taking part in a Read-to-Achieve program as well. It encouraged children to read by offering great prizes (most often times it was tickets to Grizzlies games, back when they used to play in the Pyramid) to those who read the most books. In my formative years, I have been a wordsmith, gone to River City Scribes writing workshops, and attended workshops held by the staff of the Pinch Journal, which is the literary publication for the University of Memphis. One of my favorite recurring events is the Impossible language Poetry reading series. Last year, I also attended the mid-south Literacy festival, which was full of a community of Memphians who love literature and are huge proponents for its importance. I think that's amazing, especially considering that we had such a slow start in the education department.
ReplyDeleteI hope to be able to get four or five people to agree to be interviewed and read some of their work or one of the works that most influenced their lives on video. I'd like if the project was just one, short, simple, documentary style video composed of these interviews. I would also be answering some of the questions and possibly reading one of my own poems for the project. If I can make this happen the way I'm imagining it, I think it could be really great!
Okay, this is the second time I've attempted to comment...I'm very much behind this idea, and I am really excited to see it develop! I like the way you have located a paradox between Memphis literacy and Memphis Literary Society, as well:)
DeleteI have been debating about my idea for a topic for a while now. I wanted to do a focus on crime and how Memphis has survived despite the harsh conditions. I didn't want to focus on just black v white crime because I feel like the topic would be too sensitive. Memphis still has pain from previous crimes and I want to elaborate on that. The purpose of my project would be to inform the audience of Memphis heartache as many people do not understand. I'm hoping my presentation will bring sympathy and understanding from the audience. I used to want to be a police officer so I have a few officer friends that I could talk to for personal accounts. I plan to keep a journal of all my interviews and evidence collected. If anyone has another valid source (family or friends in the criminal department of Memphis) I would greatly appreciate the help! I am also going to visit historical places such as the MLK death site so that I can better understand the full picture of Memphis crime.
ReplyDeleteI think it would be of some purpose to settle on what _kind_ of crime you want to discuss--violent crime, domestic violence, and so on. It sounds as though you are most drawn to the victims themselves and the impact crime has on them. This is why I suggest you focus specifically on the type of crime you want to investigate. And, depending on that choice, be prepared to have your own emotions affected as well. I think this is a good choice, but, being your instructor, I have to remind you of the risks.
DeleteFor my project, I have really had the idea of doing something music wise. Memphis is known for it's Blues and Rock n' Roll music. I decided that doing my project on this would be very fun. Memphis has it's own symphony and there are plenty of cafes that have live music. I am planning on exploring several of these places. I want to record some of the live music and maybe interview people and get their opinion on the music. I was also thinking about exploring Royal Studios and learning more about that Studio and do an interview with someone who works there. I hope to learn how the music in Memphis has evolved. What has changed? What has stayed the same? Does Memphis still have influence over the genres of Blues and Rock n' Roll?
ReplyDeleteAs I said earlier in our texts, I think that the topic of Memphis music is a perfectly fine one. I do encourage you to home in on a particular genre or period. I say this not because of any arbitrary rule, but because you have a set amount of time to cover this topic. Memphis music is quite a large topic, so to attempt to take on all forms would be chaotic for you. Streamline and you will most certainly uncover something exciting and promising.
DeleteGood evening everyone. For my project I'm thinking about doing the history of the Orange Mound community. Two reasons lead me to this topic, the first is the fact that Orange mound was the first African American community in Memphis and one of the first in the South. The second reason is that I've been living in the Orange Mound community since I was five years old and I think it's long over due for me to learn the history of my community. I'm curious to learn about the struggles as well as the joys this community face in the beginning. I'll also would like to include how the community managed to held up all of these years.
ReplyDeleteAn excellent idea, Theresa! I'm fully behind it. By the way, have you seen this documentary?
Deletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1JJRE9df7tY
When thinking about a semester long project on a key moment or historic place I the Memphis area, it was very difficult due to how rich the history is hear in Memphis. When I started thinking of something that I have never heard a person go into detail on and a place that people go to every day. The place that came to my mine was Beale Street and the reason for this is because I have also thought it was know for the bars, even though I have lived here all my life. A lot of people are also scared to go to this area due to how high the crime rate is, but after some research I found out that it has always been an area of crime, whether it was pick pocketing or prostitution. Many people in the early 1900's said Beale Street had a carnival like atmosphere. What has also enticed me to what to learn more is of all the various types of music that is played on Beale street and where the name Beale came from. I also wanted to pick an area that most people do not think of as historic area. I hope by the end of the semester I will be able to open up this area to the Southwest Community about how the Beale Street area is not only known for its partying atmosphere and I do realize that their are people out their that will already know this, but I still figured that their are thousands out their that have never realized what Beale Street has been in the past and the history of each bar/restaurant. So I look forward to expanding my knowledge and others!
ReplyDeleteWell...Beale Street _is_considered an historic place. It was a booming business district for African Americans in the early part of the last century, and much has been done on its history since. What I would recommend, if you are dedicated to this topic, is that you focus on a particular period in the history of Beale Street. Perhaps the late eighties when it fell into a sharp decline--or its rebirth and what draws people to it to this day. Make no mistake, this is well-trodden territory, but you can find an angle, one that has rarely--if ever--been explored.
DeleteI've done much some web searches on the Peoples Grocery store, Architech's Olmstead and Vaux in trying to pinpoint an overwhelming urge to vocalize my research. I never thought about our public parks as carefully tailored for exclusively for the wealth as Rushing points out. Yet while driving a lot through midtown lately I'm struck with the beautiful architectures of churches. One website said that Memphis is known as the city of 1000 churches. I remember thinking the same thing when I moved here and didn't really understand the reasoning behind it. I want to explore primarily the first African American churches and their impact on its community, politically and educationally. I will also include the landscape hierarchy of many churches that relate to the underlying message of its communities from midtown. I will most likely include a powerpoint presentation of the pictures I take and interview some locals. It's exciting to know that as Rushing pointed out how public parks evoke many feelings and images and so do churches, including the good, the bad and the ugly.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a fascinating and rewarding project! The main caveat I give everyone is, keep the scope of the project in consideration: this could potentially become a huge project. Ergo, you might consider some of the _oldest_ African American churches in Memphis, for example.
DeleteHi Dr. Lester and felliw classmates,
ReplyDeleteI plan to do my project on: how our City of Memphis lost both it's Charter and name. I will research the names of all parties involved. I will share the circumstances surrounding our lost. I will research and share how we regained our Charter and name. Can you imagine our City being named anything but Memphis? I will share my views and research on the importance of a city's name. What it means to its citizens as well as visitors.I lol forward to learning more about this City, that almost had no name
This topic is a good one, but I can see it easily becoming a discussion of Robert Church--which I think would be PHENOMENAL. Not many Memphians are aware that our city was rescued by the first African American millionaire. Do give that some thought, and I have some suggestions for you as to where to begin your research!
DeleteGrr fat fingers everyone.Shoulda read fellow
ReplyDeleteBorn and raised in the city of Memphis is a special thing. Reading the book “Memphis and the Paradox of Place” made me realize certain things that I may not have thought about a lot. Everyone knows that the southern town of Memphis went through a rough time of racism and segregation which can get boring to some people hearing it over and over again. I will be talking about the historical landmarks as well as museums that are in Memphis that easily could have been removed in the nineteenth century or earlier. In 1969 when Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was shot and kilt outside of the Lorraine Motel people were terrified of Memphis and blamed it for this outstanding leader’s death. This also drove away business for the Lorraine Motel as well drastically. When the hotel could no longer operate for profit the city of Memphis had a battle to win. The main argument was to use the city’s money to buy the hotel to use as a piece of history connecting it to a museum. Some thought this idea was horrible due to the fact that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was kilt here, but others understood that the good and the bad are a part of Memphis’ history and we should honor and respect it. Throughout my project I plan to do most of my research by getting involved with touring museums and landmarks, but I will have book sources as well.
ReplyDeleteI really feel like this is such a relevant topic due to the fact that these museums and landmarks are apart of our life now. I want people to think about if they didn't have funding and did not exist the history that would forever be lost. The thought of that makes me even more excited to pursue my topic.
ReplyDeleteI didn't have time earlier to comment here, but as we discussed in class, narrowing your focus just a little to look at specific monuments and places of conflicting historical narratives would be best, I think. :)
DeleteI apologize for the late post, was having some internet issues.
ReplyDeleteBeing an outsider to this city, I am usually drawn to the touristy stuff that normally natives ignore or avoid altogether: Graceland, many museums, and, in this case, the zoo. I would personally like to focus on the history on the zoo and the impact it has had on the city. Some of my best summer memories consist of me visiting the zoo and enjoying it so much, so I'd like to do it service and research it. In the end, despite its recent environmental controversies, the zoo is still very much a key component of the Memphis tourism business.
As I said tonight, good idea! I am looking forward to seeing how this develops.
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