Bronzeville is Born
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Bronzeville Is Born
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Many of the Black southerners emigrated to the South side of Chicago via the
Illinois Central Railroad. Most of the migrants resided near the end of
the line. The South side of Chicago became "colorized" with the
introduction of 70,000 persons during the 1st migration. As a result, the
area was considered a "ghetto" because of inferences to poverty, ignorance,
exclusion and subordination. The residents termed the "black belt "
BRONZEVILLE to represent the brown color of most African Americans skin.
" . . . 1945 that people started to use the term "Bronzeville" for the Black Metropolis because it seems to express the feeling that people seem to have about their own community. Cayton and Drake also say that the expression "bronze" when counterposed to "black" reveals a tendency on part of the Negroes to avoid referring to themselves as "black". And, of course, as a descriptive term the former is even more accurate then the latter, for most Negroes are brown. Hence in conclusion we can say that the term Bronzeville was brought about to give the Black Metropolis the much needed upliftment and also so that people would not keep looking down on it as the "black" neighborhood." (www.iit.edu/~bronzeville-stories/history.html#Racism) Commerce boomed within the Black Metropolis called Bronzeville. Living legends remember the "original" Black owned businesses that stretched down South Park Boulevard, Michigan Avenue, State Street, 43rd Street, and 47th Street. This thriving community was self sufficient with Banks, Laundromats, Churches, Theaters, Clubs, and restaurants.
Bronzeville experienced a CULTURAL EXPLOSION equal to the Harlem Renaissance. Two notable authors were:
Richard Wright Gwendolyn Brooks Below are pictures of The Regal Theater, the Elam center, and the Ida B. Wells Barnett home.
Objectives: Students will learn the derivative of the word "ghetto" and how it is used to oppress. Students will learn the creation of Bronzeville and the progress of it's inhabitants. Students will investigate the reasons for the success of Bronzeville. Students will learn of race relations in Bronzeville.
Questions:
Resourceful Links: Chicago Landmarks - African American Tour Black Metropolis-Bronzeville District Definition and origin of the word GHETTO
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