Presenter Information

Shawn Jenkins

Degree Name

Master of Interdisciplinary Studies (MA)

Department

Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences

Streaming Media

Location

UW Y Center

Start Date

21-5-2015 5:50 PM

End Date

21-5-2015 5:55 PM

Abstract

Tacoma’s Hilltop Neighborhood has been home to many immigrants and migrants for over 150 years. Anyone seeking information concerning this historical neighborhood can obtain who founded it, how it was constructed, and those accredited with its growth and development. Many different ethnic groups have been recognized for their influences in this area; making this the story told publicly.

Yet one ethnic group has systematically been left out of most historical accounts when discussing the Hilltop. Black Americans have been living on the Hilltop for some 60 years working, raising families, and contributing to the social fabric. What I have learned is contrary to popular belief the Hilltop is not a historically or predominately Black neighborhood although; most long-term Tacoma residents have referred to it in this manner. The reality of it is there is no evidence to support that claim?

What my Master’s Thesis will accomplish is adding the private lives of Black Americans to the public discussion of the Hilltop. I will interview long term residents and local businessmen and women making their private lives public record. I want to tell their story and their experiences living in this locality. By studying Tacoma’s Hilltop neighborhood and its Black American residents, I suggest my body of work would add to Tacoma’s local historical literature and the greater Pacific Northwest historical text. Thus taking what Blacks of the “Hill” have known privately and making it public record

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May 21st, 5:50 PM May 21st, 5:55 PM

A People’s History of The Hilltop (Making Public Private Lives)

UW Y Center

Tacoma’s Hilltop Neighborhood has been home to many immigrants and migrants for over 150 years. Anyone seeking information concerning this historical neighborhood can obtain who founded it, how it was constructed, and those accredited with its growth and development. Many different ethnic groups have been recognized for their influences in this area; making this the story told publicly.

Yet one ethnic group has systematically been left out of most historical accounts when discussing the Hilltop. Black Americans have been living on the Hilltop for some 60 years working, raising families, and contributing to the social fabric. What I have learned is contrary to popular belief the Hilltop is not a historically or predominately Black neighborhood although; most long-term Tacoma residents have referred to it in this manner. The reality of it is there is no evidence to support that claim?

What my Master’s Thesis will accomplish is adding the private lives of Black Americans to the public discussion of the Hilltop. I will interview long term residents and local businessmen and women making their private lives public record. I want to tell their story and their experiences living in this locality. By studying Tacoma’s Hilltop neighborhood and its Black American residents, I suggest my body of work would add to Tacoma’s local historical literature and the greater Pacific Northwest historical text. Thus taking what Blacks of the “Hill” have known privately and making it public record