Milwaukee Bronzville: Walnut Way!

Initially I was somewhat overwhelmed and unsure about what I wanted my main focus to be for my final project on JPNA. After attending the last of a four part series of the Milwaukee Historic Society's presentations on Milwaukee Neighborhoods I became interested in Walnut Way/Johnson's Park history. It was amazing because I had never heard about the history of African American settlement in Milwaukee, it was fascinating to see that the residents from this era are still alive and continue to pass these oral histories. I felt compelled to do my final project on the juxtapositions between the two eras and I hope to inspire some curiosity for others to do the same! 

African American settlement began in Milwaukee from 1900s-1950s, due to labor shortages during WWII. This was an opportunity for African Americans to improve their own economic situations and they then began to migrate to Wisconsin in search of industrial, agricultural, and manufacturing jobs. Despite the fact that there was African American settlement in WI, this particular time period nearly tripled the African American Population by 600%. By 1945 there was over 15,000 African Americans living in Milwaukee. Because of racism/segregation, the African American residents in Milwaukee were restricted/limited to live in certain areas, forcing them to build their own community formerly known as, Walnut Way, our modern day Johnsons Park. The actual landmark begins at Walnut St., King Drive, and 12th street. Looking at Johnson's Park today, one would never know that it was such a thriving community, all of the businesses were owned by African Americans and celebrated the African American culture, residents can recall never having to leave their communities-they had their own barbershops, drugstores, restaurants, etc. Needless to say, this thriving community began to attract racially mixed clientele. So what happened to this thriving community? Towards the end of the 1950s the city planned to reconstruct HWY I-43, which cut directly across the neighborhood, destroying thousands of homes-snatching the heart out of this beautiful community. 

More Info: http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/highlights/archives/2007/02/discover_milwau.asp

Kroening Building, Bronzville Milwaukee 1886  (North Ave.) 

Modern Day: Walnut Way! 

Alice's Garden: Partnered with UW-M

Bronzeville Milwaukee Jazz Club

This Fall I had the pleasure of viewing the documentary "U People" I also had the opportunity to meet with the filmmakers Hanifah Walidah and Olive Demetrius.U People is an accidental documentary; the original intention was to film a music video, "Make a Move" by musician Hanifah Walidah, which later debut on LOGO. The video itself was a first of its kind, featuring an entire cast/crew of thirty women identifying as straight, gay, and Transgender. Once they began editing the footage, Hanifah and Olive began to take a closer look at the dialogue between such a diverse group of women, issues such as being gay/and or Transgender in the African American communities and the perceptions of roles such as "femme" and "butch”.

            Prior to viewing the film, the filmmakers Hanifah and Olive held a workshop titled, The Beautiful Obstacle: Beyond a Double Consciousness. In this workshop we were divided into groups and began to brainstorm/contemplate words that describe femininity and characteristics of African American women. After the list was created, we then, as a group had to create a silent, short performance illustrating the characteristics we felt were the most prevalent in front of one another. This exercise helped us to understand how identities are socially constructed and the fact that there are multiple interpretations within those constructions. It was an excellent prelude to the film.

            After watching the film I began to think about the concepts “Two Spirit” and “Transgender” and its connection with the African American community. Why is transgender identity viewed as taboo within the African American community? Why is there segregation within the gay community itself? Overall, I found the film inspiring and daringly raw- there was no filter. 

U People Website: http://iloveupeople.ning.com/

Artist Statement

Erica Woods

Film 150

March 27, 2009

 

Artist Statement

 

I know Johnson’s Park as a glimmer of hope. I wanted to find these small pieces and magnify them through their heavy, burdened flaws of poverty, litter, and misconceptions. It was difficult to find the opportunity to connect with the people of this community, as a result, I had to open myself up to listening to the environment and nature and tap into it’s voice. The photos I have selected do just that, tells the story, the contemplation of the heart of Johnsons Park. On the surface level, Johnsons Park was wide, empty and spacious, but the more I began to blend/merge within this community the more heightened my senses became. I began to notice life growing underneath all of clutter.

            The images I’ve selected illustrate the transition happening within this vibrant community. After sifting through all of the dead leaves, broken concrete, and construction there’s much inspiration lurking in alleyways, sidewalks, through worn windows, and solidifying itself in the soil of the land.  A new history is bound to immerge; new communities of people are alive and united.

            During this experience, I’ve discovered that the camera is a very powerful tool, and one of the most passionate forms of communication. It is not boggled down by oversimplified language, words that over generalize the feelings/perspectives of our existence as human beings in which we try so hard to express and ignite understanding/commonality with others.  Our vision, photographic memories are the solid moments in our lives when we are rectified as participants of and within reality, Photographs capture and preserve that. Confirm that. These are our creations, interpretations within our space, within our time.

            

JPNA:An Interpetation