"Harlem, Is Art"/"Harlem as Art" Reading Response Questions

Nicolas Siino

09/26/2014

English Writing Skills Workshop

Professor Young

 

1.         The sentence "From architectural designs to cultural activities to the role of local communities in civil rights movements, urban places and spaces are rich in history" refers to the identity of the community is created by what happening in the community, the history of the community, the buildings in the community and what is happening in the community.  This identity can change over time and provide a new identity to the community today than it had in the past as exemplified in the changes of buildings with faulty fire escapes to new condos to the newly renovated Apollo theatre.

2.         125th street is focused on because it's a place that has deep roots to Harlem's culture and history. This street represented Black power.  The Hotel Theresa located on 125th street had Louis Armstrong and Lena Horne stay there. It was also know for the location where Malcolm X held meetings and Joe Louis celebrated victories. A hang out spot in my town is the local Quick Check. I wouldn't necessary say it's famous, but the kids from town gather there to buy candy, drinks, and to hang out and talk. The corner where it is located on is within walking distance from the middle school and high school.

3.         Valerie used symbols such as the buildings with faulty fire escapes, new condos, the Frederick Douglass house and the stores that have closed and re-opened to signify the changes that the community has gone through and how it's identity as a predominately black community has changed to a mixed community where people that were once afraid of going there, now felt safe.  Symbols are also used to signify that Harlem is Art and that these symbols signify an art form that creates the identify of Harlem.  Symbols are important in that they enable the reader and people in the community to visualize the changes that have occurred and what was the community's identity.

4.         Harlem's buildings expressed the culture of the people living there and art was something inside of them that was free to express.

5.         The use of symbols as signs of history by Kinloch refers to the changes in the identity of the community and how it has changed over time from what it was to what it is today. For example the Theresa Hotel was a place African Americans could visit and famous people stayed there. Historical symbols in my community include General George Washington, "the Father of our Country" was known to have visited Whippany during the American Revolution.

6.         The use of photographs and other digital documentation help show the residents the changes that have occurred to Harlem over time and how the identity has changed.  The diagrams used in the text provide to the residents a simple view of what is happening today in the community. 

7.         The questions at the end of the essay aim to uncover how the identity of Harlem could be different if these people were around as leaders to protect the community .