Documenting Black Durham: Discovering Durham's Hallowed Ground through Arts

Catalog description

Study of Durham's hallowed grounds and sites of struggle, with a deep focus on the African American experience. Investigation of histories, both celebrated and troubled, that have built the present-day community surrounding Duke University. Exploration of the city's tumultuous and rich past from slavery to Black Wall St and onward through the lens of past and present visual and performing artists, leading to new collaborations with these artists. Sites and stories will include Pauli Murray House, Stagville, Civil Rights history in Durham, the Booker T. Spicely murder and more. Using interpretive and historical methods, students will research Durham's stories, ultimately helping to construct a roadmap for future community collaborations that recover local history through the arts.