4 MUSIC February 26, 2019 SPECIAL SECTION 5

Photo Illustration Adrienne Aguilar RichlandStudentMedia.com 6 SPECIAL SECTION February 26, 2019 Witnessing Dallas’ hidden history Willie R. Cole would not have to attend the same park with Staff Writer its white citizens,” Pinkard said. Just a few blocks away is the YMCA built for The rich history of Dallas’ African-Ameri- African-Americans. Pinkard said the builder can community is concealed in neighborhoods would not start the process until $50,000 was throughout the city. These sites preserve the raised to erect the building. To what may have record of the first arrivals to Dallas and Texas. been the surprise of white residents, $75,000 Each site tells the story of how African-Amer- was raised to build the facility. Not only was icans shaped the city and developed a unique it a YMCA, it was also a boarding house and way of life. meeting hall. The building had 20 rooms avail- Boarding a bus in East Dallas, the Hidden able to African-Americans. The facility was History Tour began at the J.B. Jackson Bus listed in the Green Book as a location where Station. The tour guide told a story about African-Americans could stay the night. Jackson, a political activist who protested the “The Green Book was written by Victor taking of African-American property through Greens,” said Jocelyn Pinkard, also a guide on imminent domain in 1969. Jackson and then the tour. Dallas Mayor J. Erik Jonsson were involved in The Green Book listed places where Afri- negotiations to keep protesters from blocking can-Americans could find housing, gas and the annual Cotton Bowl parade. purchase goods while traveling in the South,” “Jackson received a concession in the 11th she said. The Dallas Black Dance Theatre now hour that Jackson would ride in the lead car owns the facility. with the mayor in the Cotton Bowl parade,” Entering the business district of Dallas, the tour guide Dan Pinkard said. tour bus approached the Majestic Theatre. Freedmen’s Cemetery is located at I-75 African-Americans were not able to attend and Lemmon Avenue. The site is located on performances at the Majestic until 1925. That land once owned by African-Americans on year, African-Americans were able to purchase both sides of the expressway. The cemetery tickets but had to enter through a side gate is where freed blacks were buried. Even in and sit upstairs in the balcony. That practice death, the mixing of races was forbidden in continued until the 1960s when civil rights the early years of Dallas. activist Juanita Craft made it an issue and “From 1850, there are between 2,000 and fought to change the practice. 2,500 African-Americans [buried] here,” Leaving downtown on Elm Street, just past Pinkard said. the Sixth Floor Museum, is an unmarked park The area now known as Uptown was once where three men were hung for burning down the location of the first African-American the city of Dallas in the 1860s, said George community in Dallas. Keaton, the owner of Hidden Tours. Griggs Park, south of Freedmen’s Cemetery, “On July 24, 2019, a plaque will be placed surrounded by condominiums, town-houses at the historical site to mark the event,” said and upscale homes, was originally named Hall Keaton. Street Negro Park. It was purchased for June- Pinkard pointed out two bronze statues of teenth celebrations. Reverend Allen R. Griggs prominent African-Americans downtown. A and the New Hope Baptist Church purchased statue of Chicago Cubs Hall of Fame short- the park in 1913. It was later sold to the city stop Ernie Banks is located in front of Booker of Dallas. T. Washington High School for the Perform- “[This was] one of seven parks that the city ing and Visual Arts. A statue of Rosa Parks, of Dallas purchased so that its black citizens the seamstress who took a seat at the front of the bus and sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott, is at Rosa Parks Plaza on Lamar Street. It was installed to commemorate on the Staff Photo Willie R. Cole Sculpture by David Newton at Freedmen’s Cemetery in Uptown Dallas. 60th anniversary of the boycott. The tour continued across the Trinity River would come to perform for African-Ameri- The history of the struggles and celebrations to Oak Cliff, an area of town where Afri- cans in Dallas. Pinkard said Craft, the previ- are documented in the exhibits. Items on can-Americans could settle and call home. ously mentioned civil rights activist, lived on display include documents of a woman who Pinkard pointed out The Bottoms, a neigh- Warren Street, just off MLK Boulevard, and was sold into slavery, years after the executive borhood where black people got their start became the city’s first African-American city order for the Emancipation Proclamation and on the American dream. It was home to musi- council representative. South Boulevard, one a Ku Klux Klan robe that is protected behind cian T-Bone Walker, who found inspiration block to the north, was once home to a thriv- glass. to write songs like “Trinity River Blues,” and ing Jewish community. A statue of civil rights Deep Ellum, Hamilton Park, the Old Red Rafer Johnson, who won the decathlon Olym- leader Martin Luther King Jr. is located in Courthouse, Little Egypt and churches like pic gold medal in 1960. front of the community center that bears his New Hope Baptist, where African-American The historic Trinity River floods were a part name. leaders would speak on the issues of the day, of everyday life. Pinkard said African-Ameri- The African-American Museum, located in are also on the tour. African-American history cans who were able to “move up,” moved to Fair Park, offers a closer look at life in Freed- in Dallas covers the time period from the early the Tenth Street area of the neighborhood. man’s Town. The second floor exhibit gives 1800s to the present. Blacks and Anglos were buried in the Oak visitors a much better look at life in the past. “It was culturally enriching; the exhibits, the Cliff cemetery, but not side by side. Deep Ellum was an area where African-Amer- locations, the history, was really complete and The Forest Theater is a short drive from icans, Anglos, and Mexicans could meet and educational,” tourist George Gilchrist, Jr. said Oak Cliff. It’s located on the corner of I-75 socialize. It was the only place in Dallas where For more information about Hidden Tours, and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. Accord- merchants would allow African-Americans to

RichlandStudentMedia.com visit www.hiddenhistory.org and www.remembering- Sculpture of Rosa Parks in Downtown Dallas. ing to Pinkard, this is where the headline acts try on clothes before they purchased them. blackdallas.org. February 26, 2019 SPECIAL SECTION 7

The exhibit “Black Beauty, Glitz and Glamour” is on view at South Dallas Cultural Center through March 23. Staff Photos Trace Miller ‘Black Beauty, Glitz and Glamour’ in Dallas Trace Miller “Historically, African-American women A historic photograph of each woman was Assistant Managing Editor have rarely been the subject of discussion accompanied by a paragraph highlighting their around beauty, style and fashion in general. respective achievements, posted on the wall One mannequin wore a psychedelic pant- This was an opportunity to address that near each outfit. suit and top hat slashed by a baby-blue belt. discrepancy and highlight their accomplish- The array of styles, textures, cuts and colors Another mannequin sported paint-smeared ments,” said John Spriggins, the general was dazzling. The total number of outfits black sweats and a collared, cascading, orange- manager of the SDCC. hovers around 40—each one fresh and unique. satin robe. These two outfits were inspired Designers and fashion stylists Patrick Unfortunately, the variety is overwhelming respectively by Grace Jones, the Jamaican- Wright and Pucci Lisenbee organized and rather than informative due to a lack of coor- American actress, supermodel and Grammy- curated the exhibit. Wright and Lisenbee dination between the text, photographs and winning singer, and Iman, the Somalian fash- integrated photographs, text and clothing to clothing. ion model noted for her pioneering work in portray the marginalized beauty of African- While proximity between an outfit and ethnic-cosmetics. American women and illustrate their accom- photograph suggested a correspondence, no The outfits constitute only a fraction of plishments. particular dress is linked to a specific enter- those on display as part of the exhibition The photographs were sourced from the tainer or photo. This creates a challenge for “Black Beauty, Glitz and Glamour,” a fashion archives of the African American Museum viewers seeking information while enjoying and photography show on view at the South at Fair Park and the outfits were designed by the innovative beauty of the ensembles. Dallas Cultural Center (SDCC). This exhibit Wright and Lisenbee themselves. This exhibit is on view at the South Dallas highlights the beauty and accomplishments of Each outfit was seemingly inspired by a Cultural Center through March 23. Visit www. black, female celebrities. particular black, female entertainer or celebrity. sdcc.dallasculture.org for more information. A dress inspired by performer Eartha Kitt. Rediscovering the lost Little Egypt neighborhood “When you’re digging, you’re actually a dance hall, were built on the area sometime Dara Jones and Ryan B. Duff excited. Maybe you can find something that later. The community got its name from the Staff Writers will actually lead to something,” said Delphine Egypt Chapel Baptist Church. Tuma, one of the student anthropologists. “The community was primitive and did A neighborhood in Northeast Dallas has When searching through land records, not have the modern conveniences of paved a secret and Richland anthropology students the professors were pleasantly surprised to roads, water and sewer lines, although they are trying to dig it up. The Africa- American discover that the McCoy family, former Little shared electric and telephone lines,” Sullivan community, known as Little Egypt, is in the Egypt residents who had been interviewed said. Lake Highlands neighborhood not far from extensively, were the former owners of the During the post-World War II years, the Richland College. exact plot of land. Richland students are work- rural land surrounding the property was trans- According to history professor Dr. Clive ing with the family to create a 3D model of formed into housing developments that put Siegle, in the fall of 2015, he learned from a their family homestead. pressure on the community to modernize. neighbor, who was a longtime resident, that “Most other classes you don’t get to actu- “Little Egypt remained virtually the same as there had once been an African-American ally do what the profession entails, but this it had been in the 1800s until they came close settlement called Little Egypt across the street one, you do. So it’s kind of interesting,” said to being condemned,” Sullivan said. from his home. The community vanished in Luis Orozco, a student working on the proj- In 1961, community leaders met with a the 1960s. Most of the area had been turned Photo courtesy Clive Siegel ect. developer who wanted to build a shopping into a shopping center, except for an empty lot Will and Sara Hill were the first residents According to written material made avail- center on the property. Over the course of a of Little Egypt. across the street from his house. able by the professors to the Chronicle, the year, an agreement was drafted to buy out all When he noticed the lot had been dug up, photographs, computer modeling, archaeo- origins of the Little Egypt settlement date of the residents and move them to new homes Siegle called anthropology professor, Dr. Tim logical and genealogical research. back to Sept. 25, 1883 when former slaves Jeff with modern conveniences. Sullivan. “They’ve plowed the field,” he said. “I was not going to let it be erased,” Siegle and Hannah Hill purchased 110 acres of land In May 1962, the entire community, headed The owner of the lot, Eastlake Veterinary said. at $10 an acre. It was also part of the land that by the Hill’s son Will and his wife Sara, relo- Hospital, granted the professors permission to According to the professors, some exam- Richland College now occupies. cated to other parts of the city. The bulldoz- search for historical artifacts on the property. ples of artifacts found at the site include bits The Hill property eventually became a farm- ers moved in and Little Egypt was no more. They later merged their history and anthropol- of charcoal, wire, denim and other vestiges land community. The Hill children and other “It’s like a giant hand came down and swept ogy classes to form a six-hour Honors Learn- of days gone by. The students catalog the families rented or bought property from the it away,” Siegle said. Many of the residents ing Community location of the artifacts to help put together Hills and made their homes on the property. moved to Oak Cliff along with the Egypt The course, now in its third year, includes a larger picture of what life once was like in The Hill family built a general store on the Chapel Baptist Church. For more on the Little RichlandStudentMedia.com a project to reconstruct the history of the enclave. They seem to love the hands-on property, according to documents supplied by Egypt story, visit www.richlandstudentmedia.com/ Little Egypt through oral histories, aerial experience. Siegel. A hotel and another building, possibly littleegypt 8 SPECIAL SECTION February 26, 2019 MOVIES 9 Program explores intersectionality of Africans and African-Americans Kobloh-Obase Kammonke This event was a platform to discuss Staff Writer misconceptions presented in the media. The robust topic was narrowed down and “Black The Black Student Association (BSA) and Panther” used as a bridge to connect the the African Student Association (ASA) collab- communities. orated on an event to discuss the relation- “I enjoyed it. I thought it was a safe place ship between Africans and African-Ameri- and safe space to discuss everything that cans through the lens of the movie “Black needed to be discussed in an open way. The Panther.” way it was moderated was perfect because The event was held in conjunction with no one got offended or upset,” said Chedena Black History Month at Richland. Hayes, a new staff member at Richland. The event was presented in two segments: Clips from the film “Black Panther” were Small group discussions facilitated by student used to introduce topics to initiate conversa- representatives of BSA and ASA, and a group tion. Certain scenes were played, illustrating discussion in which the small group discus- ideas about Africa and African-Americans, sions were summarized in a larger setting. after which, a student facilitator asked ques- The BSA students conceptualized the event tions. Students and facilitators shared their while they were brainstorming about a project views. for Black History Month. They shared their “So, because “Black Panther” has the foun- ideas with BSA sponsor, Rolanda Randle, who dation of talking about the relationship or lack reached out to the ASA to make it happen. thereof between Africans and African-Ameri- Staff Photo Kammonke Obase-Wotta “The discussion itself [came about] by talk- cans, the students were interested in collabo- Students and staff discuss the integration of cultures on Feb. 12. ing to the students and trying to find out rating with ASA to do some type of program- between Africans and African-Americans, so their culture during Black History Month. ‘how do you want to have the discussion’ ming around the film,” Randle said.“I think for that purpose it was good. The response was positive and the discussions and eventually I found research that was there are some nuggets from that movie that It was also good for the purpose of inform- were informative all around. done at Howard University,” Randle said. we can take and expand upon even more,” ing non-blacks about Africa, about African- “I am very pleased with the turnout. I think “The researchers gave surveys to African and said Hayes. Americans and how their relationship is. And there were enough people in each group to African-American students about stereotypes BSA and ASA are working on more collab- to also understand the legacy of colonialism. have robust discussions and I’m glad that, amongst the different groups and I pulled orations. The Richland campus is highly How they view us has been affected by what’s in the broader discussion, we had different quotes from that research. The students met diverse. Randle believes that as minorities, happened to us as a whole,” said Randle. people from different groups chiming in and and decided how they wanted to use those black students should band together. The black community launched this event giving their feedback about the various issues quotes to have the broader discussion in “We have a small group of black students on to attract people from all communities. It was we were bringing up,” Randle said. conjunction with clips from the film.” campus, so we need to build the relationship a means of educating, as well as celebrating Black History Month trivia DOWN ACROSS 1. Before it became Black History 2. The PGA was considered “Cauca- Month what was the observance of sian Only” until which golfer joined? Black History called? 7. Who broke three track and field 3. Who was the first African-Ameri- World Records in 45 minutes at Ohio can to win an Academy Award? State?

4. Name the first African-American 10. In June 1967, who was named to serve as a U.S. Senator? the first African-American astronaut?

5. This is the name of the first Afri- 11. Who wrote the bestselling can-American owned-and operated memoir “I Know Why the Caged Bird newspaper. Sings”?

6. Who was the first African-Amer- 12. Abraham Lincoln signed what ican to perform at the White House? act to abolish slavery in the District of Columbia? 8. The first African-American Clarification: woman to receive a patent for invent- _ = Spacing between names ing the folding bed is?

ANSWERS Emancipation Act Emancipation

Owens 10. Robert Henry Lawrence Jr. 11. Maya Angelou 12. 12. Angelou Maya 11. Jr. Lawrence Henry Robert 10. Owens

ACROSS: 2. Charles Sifford 7. Jesse Jesse 7. Sifford Charles 2. 9. Name the only African-American Bois Du W.E.B 9. Goode

among the original NAACP execu- Sarah 8. Wiggins Tom Blind 6. Journal Freedom’s 5. Revels DOWN: 1. Negro History Week 3. Hattie McDaniel4. Hiram Hiram McDaniel4. Hattie 3. Week History Negro 1.

RichlandStudentMedia.com tives. 8 SPECIAL SECTION February 26, 2019 MOVIES 9

Black History Month movies

Ricky Miller Lee, , Robin Harris, John Spike Lee, left, and Samuel L. Jackson in "Mo' Better Blues" (1990). Entertainment Editor Turturro and Samuel L. Jackson. C+ African-Americans have had leading roles “To Sleep with Anger” (1990) –Danny in many top films. In celebration of African- Glover is Harry, a ne’er-do-well, who American History Month, here are some of turns a close-knit family’s life upside down my favorites. when he shows up out of the blue. B- “A Soldier’s Story” (1984) – Supporter “187” (1997) – Samuel L. Jackson is excel- Adolph Caesar was Oscar-nominated for lent in this tale about a teacher facing thugs in his turn as Sergeant Waters. This amaz- the City of Angels. So read- ing tale was directed by , ers know, the number 187 refers who drew an Oscar nomination for direct- to death on a police scanner. C+ ing 1967’s “In the Heat of the Night”. B “Déjà Vu” (2006) – Denzel Washing- “The Color Purple” (1985) – Steven ton stars in this intriguing tale filled with awesome science-fiction mumbo jumbo Spielberg directed this epic drama that intro- , center, Richard Brooks and Sheryl Lee Ralph in "To Sleep with Anger" (1990). duced both Whoopi Goldberg and Oprah filled with pretzel twists galore. From direc- Winfrey to Middle America. It was nominated tor Tony Scott, who passed away in 2012. B for a plethora of Oscars but ended up with “Miracle at St. Anna” (2008) – Set in nothing but a giant goose egg; no wins. A+ 1944 Italy, this fact-based tale looks at the “Moving” (1988) – is power of faith and belief in the Tuscan region Arlo Pear, a New Jersey architect forced to as a few WWII soldiers test their limits in move his family to Boise, Idaho. It features this intriguing Spike Lee-directed tale. B+ some great turns from Dana Carvey as a “BlacKkKlansman” (2018) – This drama- cross-dressing schizophrenic, as well as with-comedy based on a true story finds John Rodney Dangerfield and Randy Quaid. C+ David Washington’s Ron Stallworth infil- “Mo’ Better Blues” (1990) – Denzel trating the Ku Klux Klan in 1970s Colorado Washington is trumpet player Bleek Gillian. Springs, Colorado. Nominated for multiple He faces many dilemmas in his life during Oscars, including supporting actor Adam a somewhat successful career. With Joie Driver, composer Terence Blanchard for the soundtrack and Spike Lee as best director. B+ in "Deja Vu" (2006). Photos courtesy IMDb 'Alita' battles for number one spot in box office Ricky Miller that be at 20th Century Fox delayed the of any kind. Sure, “Alita: Battle Angel” opened society wherein a Rollerball-like game is the end Entertainment Editor release until last December, just in time in the No. 1 spot, but with a box office under all to win in this complex and intriguing tale. “Alita: Battle Angel” has had an inter- for the Christmas rush, but to no avail. $30 million. The $28 million-plus initial gross Rosa Salazar exudes the right degree of esting cinematic life. It was supposed to The film was finally released Feb. 14 but with was less than stellar. It had one of the worst naiveté as lead character Alita. She knows come out in August 2018 but the powers no big boom, degree of excitement or fanfare President’s Day weekends in the past 15 years what she needs and wants in the world. The pluses, however, outweighed the Aiding Alita in her journey is Christoph minuses in this James Cameron-produced tale Waltz’s Dr. Dyson Ido, who once had a directed by Robert Rodriguez. This excursion younger daughter who fell ill to the outside is probably the biggest-budgeted film Rodri- world around her. Also woven into the story guez has ever worked on. What works well here is Jennifer Connelly’s Chiren, Ido’s ex, who are the 3D visuals. Cameron, to me, is the only still hangs around for further interaction. one who has a firm grasp on the 3D medium. Filling out the antagonist role is Mahershala Like Cameron’s well-written Kathryn Ali’s Vector, a heavy in the game for his own Bigelow-directed tale “Strange Days” (1995), he self-serving interests. At various stages, his knows how to move the story along. That is what eyes glisten with a bright blue hue, a charac- he did as co-writer in of “Alita: Battle Angel.” ter dynamic mentioned only briefly in passing. He essentially sets up a story Part of the story also involves Alita becom- with the idea of further chapters. ing a bounty hunter for hire, so she can repay Both Cameron and Rodriguez know where the debt she feels she owes Dr. Ido. Like the characters and story are heading, since the Joss Whedon’s awesome “Serenity” (2005), dramatic scenes pause for an action set piece the nomenclature and dialogue includes word woven into the story at just the right degree. phrases that become commonplace later on. Like the Luc Besson-directed “Valerian When it comes down to it, this one is a and the City of a Thousand Planets" (2017), must-see for the big screen. “Alita: Battle “Alita: Battle Angel” landed with a giant thud Angel” contains 3D visuals that work accompanied with a ker-plat at the box office. within the structure of the story, so the Too bad. I would have liked to see what extra money for the upgrade is worth it. Photo Courtesy IMDb happened to all the denizens of this futuristic Grade: B- Rosa Salazar voices Alita and Keean Johnson voices Hugo in "Alita: Battle Angel." RichlandStudentMedia.com