Black Like Me: Preserving the History, Legacy, and Beauty of Black Culture
Open AccessABSTRACT Black Culture is the ethos of the Black Community that is rich with music, art, food, literature and love. It provides an instant connection and feeling of who Black Americans are. As the desire to feel connected to Black Culture fulfills a sense of identity, it also transcends barriers creating a profound influence on American culture, as well as the broader world. Preservation of Black identity and culture is critical to the sustainment and strength of the Black community, and its growth as a united people. Black Americans are the only group of people that cannot confidently identify with a “home” country. Often times when traveling abroad Black Americans are asked “where are you from?”. We’ll state The United States, to only be asked again, “No, where are you from?”. Many Black Americans do not know the answer to this question. We can assume we’re from Western Africa, because we know Africans were captured from the Western shore of the African continent, but we don’t know where our individual families originate. Because of this, the “Black Community” is our home and Black culture is the center and spirit of that home. Often times Black Americans are located in areas with little to no population of Blacks, or live in areas where the Black culture is underrepresented. How does one receive their sense of community if this is the case? A solution would be to create a Black Cultural Center that connects Black Americans and brings them together, so that connection to community isn’t lost. The goal is to create a space that highlights, uplifts, strengthens and encourages Black people. Black Americans have always felt our strength comes from being around our own and coming together on common ground. The intent is to design a space which provides this power to our community. In order to achieve solid research and theories, focus and attention have been geared towards research from sources that speak directly to Black Culture, lifestyle, and the Black community. For example, interviews with Black Americans for all walks of life have been conducted, to gain a sense of what Black culture looks like and what “community” means to them. This is different for many groups; i.e.: elderly, single, married, educated, blue collar, religious and the youth, therefore it is important to have a thorough understanding, so that the design fully reflects their interpretations. The development of this type of thesis means incorporating a vast amount of case studies, rather than standard text research and conducting surveys and interviews, to come to a solid conclusion (design). The research will further divulge into the various types of Black Cultural centers throughout the country. With the research conducted thus far, it is noted that many of these centers exist on college campuses, or are mainly art exhibit spaces. The need to create something different for this center is large. From the interviews conducted, many of the answers received have been a desire for a place where one can start and end their day. Many are asking for a coffee lounge, workspace with sufficient and adequate internet capabilities and a component that allows for socialization and winding down after a long work day. This is more so from young professionals. Incorporating the youth and elderly is important as well, so that every demographic in the Black community feel they belong and can connect in this center. From various case studies, site visits, surveys, personal interviews, and research, there is great confidence that a complete and thorough Black Cultural center will come to fruition. Through its design, all components that provide a sense of community, identity and connection to Black Culture will exist. The location will be an integral part in the development and execution of this design and will allow it to stand apart from other centers that desire to encompass what this center will have and will do.
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