Vulnerability, Accountability, and Healing: The Story of Bronzeville
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Richard G. Carter, a man who was born and raised in Bronzeville, detailed the shocking differences that he experiences when visiting Milwaukee as an adult, compared to how it looked as a child. He stated, “what really sticks in my mind after returning to New York is the disappearance of the Black middle-class near North Side neighborhoods and shopping areas of my Milwaukee youth. They simply are no more—many having given way to urban blight, expressways, white gentrification and a shifting population. Where once stood grocery stores, two-family houses, familiar alleys, recognizable corners, taverns with memorable names and memorable reputations, now there is mostly nothing”. He also stated, “Most of my fondest Milwaukee memories are of a mostly Black area in the 1950s which, along with other inner-city neighborhoods, came to be known as “Bronzeville””.
This photograph shows the northeast corner of North Martin Luther King Jr. Drive and West Walnut Street in 1932. The area is along the eastern boundaries of Milwaukee's Bronzeville neighborhood.
This was a house situated on MLK Drive. Like many of the other houses on the street and in the area, it looked abandoned, or in clear need of renovation. It is clear that the city and the landlords in these areas neglect the property.
Where a nice street lined with businesses once sat, is now a busy, unnapealing intersection.
However, it is clear that there is still life and spirit on MLK Drive, with a growing number of businesses. With a little investment, it could look so much more like it once did.
A 1948 image looks west along West Fond du Lac Avenue near the intersection of West Walnut Street.
A 1948 image looks west along West Fond du Lac Avenue near the intersection of West Walnut Street.
Similar to other popular boulevard in the area, Fond du lac has become far less attractive after the implementation of the interstate. It now comprises a bunch of intersections, and a lack of business, social, and economic life.
Similar to other popular boulevard in the area, Fond du lac has become far less attractive after the implementation of the interstate. It now comprises a bunch of intersections, and a lack of business, social, and economic life.
In 1916, the Rose Theater opened at 704 West Walnut. In 1938, it was purchased by African American attorney James Dorsey and Jewish businessman Samuel Ludwig. After extensive remodeling it was renamed the Regal Theater. Circa mid-late 1940s. The Theater closed down in 1958 and was later demolished.
In 1916, the Rose Theater opened at 704 West Walnut. In 1938, it was purchased by African American attorney James Dorsey and Jewish businessman Samuel Ludwig. After extensive remodeling it was renamed the Regal Theater. Circa mid-late 1940s. The Theater closed down in 1958 and was later demolished.
This was a very popular theater in the community that served has the home of a lot of art and creativity. With its destruction, nothing similar was put in its place. These areas lack a lot of simple, yet important things like movie theaters.
This was a very popular theater in the community that served has the home of a lot of art and creativity. With its destruction, nothing similar was put in its place. These areas lack a lot of simple, yet important things like movie theaters.
This 1944 photograph shows the intersection of North 12th Street and West Walnut Street, the western edges of Bronzeville.
This 1944 photograph shows the intersection of North 12th Street and West Walnut Street, the western edges of Bronzeville.
A 1959 photograph shows the intersection of North 12th Street and West Walnut Street
A 1959 photograph shows the intersection of North 12th Street and West Walnut Street
Walnut Street was once THE street in Bronzeville. It was full of business, cultural, and social life. Today, it looks extremely different because of the establishment of the highway. Now, it is the home to a bunch of intersection that overlook the highway.
Walnut Street was once THE street in Bronzeville. It was full of business, cultural, and social life. Today, it looks extremely different because of the establishment of the highway. Now, it is the home to a bunch of intersection that overlook the highway.
An aerial photo shows construction of the North South freeway (I-43) and the off ramp to the Park East freeway. The photo was taken from approximately 14th and Galena with the camera pointed southeast. In the center, from left to right, is the North South Freeway. Freeway construction replaced much of Milwaukee’s housing stock on the near north side, including many homes in the Bronzeville neighborhood.
An aerial photo shows construction of the North South freeway (I-43) and the off ramp to the Park East freeway. The photo was taken from approximately 14th and Galena with the camera pointed southeast. In the center, from left to right, is the North South Freeway. Freeway construction replaced much of Milwaukee’s housing stock on the near north side, including many homes in the Bronzeville neighborhood.
This is the route that many of us take to get to various places in the city. We probably don't think about what had to be done in order to give us such quick, convenient routes.
This is the route that many of us take to get to various places in the city. We probably don't think about what had to be done in order to give us such quick, convenient routes.
Vulnerability: There is inherent vulnerability in being a minority, especially in a country that has been built upon deeply racist institutions. They can work hard, follow all of the rules, and be good citizens, yet they continue to endure harm. When there is a clear bias among those who are meant to protect you, there is nothing you can do to stop that harm. Bronzeville is a perfect example of this: it was a successful, diverse community full of life, culture, and economic prosperity. Yet, it was completely out of the community's control when this was all taken from them. Not only was the highway system created to benefit white, suburban communities, it also destroyed communities of color in the process. The government was able to target and permanently alter these communities with no consequences.
Accountability: When the people in power are the ones doing the harm, it can be quite difficult to hold them accountable. They are able to get away with targeting and disenfranchising the groups with the least amount of power in society. However, freeway revolts have been around roughly sinc ethe highway's inception. These people recognized the degradation it was causing to the country's infrastructure and the urban landscape. They also called out the harm it was causing to the environment, as well as the fracturing of countless neighborhoods and communities. These hva e resulted in the demolition of highways across the country, but clearly the country is still heavily reliant on freeways as they are ubiquitous in every state and contniue to be built to accomodate growing populations and the demand for more efficient routes. The best way to hold those in power accounatble in situations like this is to continue using our voices to speak out against actions that are unjust and inequitable.
Healing: The impacts of things like redlining, zoning, and urban renewal are still very present today, creating a stark contrasts between the white and minority communities in Milwaukee. As one of the most segregated cities in the United States, Milwaukee has a lot of work to do in order to rectify the damage it has done in making the city so imbalanced. The Bronzeville neighborhood does not look like it once did, but community members continue to heal and make their home into a place of culture and community. We need to continue to support communities like this, hear their voices, and call out this country's treatment of them.
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