African American Communities presents multiple aspects of the African American community through pamphlets, newspapers and periodicals, correspondence, official records and in-depth oral histories, revealing the prevalent challenges of racism, discrimination and integration, and a unique African American culture and identity. Also featured is a rich selection of visual material, including photographs, maps and ephemera.
Key themes covered include:
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Desegregation – focusing on schools, hospitals, transport and other areas of public life. Documents show legal battles and campaigns in favor of integration and public reaction.
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Urban renewal and housing problems – featuring papers on housing and race relations, planning records and papers of neighborhood councils.
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Civil rights activities and protests – material on Atlanta’s police department and Chicago riots.
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Race relations and community integration – featuring documents charting increased African American home ownership in Chicago.
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African American culture – documents showcasing the life and culture of African Americans in Brooklyn from the Weeksville Heritage Center.
This database is available to all current CWU students, faculty, and staff to access in the library or from any location using CWU identification credentials. Community members may use this resource in the Brooks Library at the first floor public access computers.
[Image: African American Communities database]
