This is definitely an interesting question and one that I hope to find out in greater detail during my artwork project. By creating a district, are we establishing boundaries that keep people in a certain area or keep others out of this area? It is truly interpretation and will vary depending on the person telling the story. Our history shapes our future. If presenting our past brings awareness to the details that created the area, then in some ways exploited or not, this is a valuable experience and one to be shared with future generations. How do you know where you are going unless you know where you have been? Debbie Boles
The historical references are a fact surrounding Deep Deuce. Although I do think the man hole covers with Deep Deuce information written on them are a little obscure in visitors finding out more about the history of Deep Deuce. The banners on the flag poles indicate where Deep Deuce is but if you are new to Oklahoma City you might wonder what a Deep Deuce is and why all the apartment buildings are called Deep Deuce. It is a part of our history and maybe there needs to be a larger map with information, pictures on in on NE 2nd that explains what is Deep Deuce. I know that they have the Deep Deuce music festival every year and I would be interested in attending to see how Deep Deuce is really honored. In order to perserve our history it may be a little exploited because it must generate money to keep its history in the forefront so people do not forget what it was, why it was there, what happened to it and what it has become. Progress? Maybe, maybe not!?
From my excursions in Deep Deuce today, I came away with mixed feelings. While I thought that the historical markers were great to help me connect my readings to actual locations, the forceful apathy toward history of the man working in the information center clearly communicated to me that he thought that people only lived there so that they could walk back drunk from Bricktown instead of driving or getting a cab. I guess it depends on the perspective of the person seeing the markers--will the person appreciate it or literally trample it without even noticing. Will they respect it or see it as merely bragging rights for their building? The way it is presented, many will not see its distinction from Bricktown, especially since the signs say that it is "the hippest place to live in Bricktown" or "Deep Deuce at Bricktown." The main question that I guess I have to ask about this is, "Does the history belong to the people who have 'bought' and are 'selling' it?"
This is something that I am definitely going to address in my project, but I don't think that my words can do it justice. Pictures and pamphlets are so revealing. I am glad that the markers are there, though, so that the area will at least offer some insight to those who care. As the area is absorbed (as it seems it will be) into Bricktown, this will, at least help it maintain some sense of identity.
Perhaps the reason it is being marketed as alongside or in Bricktown is that in this cleaned-up presentation of the past, we just want to sweep the idea of segregation under the rug. It's not a "pretty" idea to think that at one time, those famous jazz artists and even MLK Jr. stayed in a hotel in Deep Deuce because they were excluded from the best hotels in the city that happened to lie on the other side of the tracks, literally.
I like this question because I can see it going both ways. I really believe that the historical references are very benificial to the area. They expose new people who otherwise would take no interest in the area. Truly what the powers that were did was find something interesting and use it to bring in money. I guess that pretty much is the definitoin of exploition, but maybe it wasn't all that bad.
I missed this question. I think that they have tried to keep some of the historical references in Deep Deuce, but I think it would have been nice if there was more of the older buildings or even a mueseum in the area with old artifacts or something. Some people maybe would say that we are exploiting the past, but how could we ever feel like we new our ansestors if we didn't keep our history going.
7 comments:
This is definitely an interesting question and one that I hope to find out in greater detail during my artwork project. By creating a district, are we establishing boundaries that keep people in a certain area or keep others out of this area? It is truly interpretation and will vary depending on the person telling the story. Our history shapes our future. If presenting our past brings awareness to the details that created the area, then in some ways exploited or not, this is a valuable experience and one to be shared with future generations. How do you know where you are going unless you know where you have been? Debbie Boles
The historical references are a fact surrounding Deep Deuce. Although I do think the man hole covers with Deep Deuce information written on them are a little obscure in visitors finding out more about the history of Deep Deuce. The banners on the flag poles indicate where Deep Deuce is but if you are new to Oklahoma City you might wonder what a Deep Deuce is and why all the apartment buildings are called Deep Deuce. It is a part of our history and maybe there needs to be a larger map with information, pictures on in on NE 2nd that explains what is Deep Deuce. I know that they have the Deep Deuce music festival every year and I would be interested in attending to see how Deep Deuce is really honored. In order to perserve our history it may be a little exploited because it must generate money to keep its history in the forefront so people do not forget what it was, why it was there, what happened to it and what it has become. Progress? Maybe, maybe not!?
From my excursions in Deep Deuce today, I came away with mixed feelings. While I thought that the historical markers were great to help me connect my readings to actual locations, the forceful apathy toward history of the man working in the information center clearly communicated to me that he thought that people only lived there so that they could walk back drunk from Bricktown instead of driving or getting a cab. I guess it depends on the perspective of the person seeing the markers--will the person appreciate it or literally trample it without even noticing. Will they respect it or see it as merely bragging rights for their building? The way it is presented, many will not see its distinction from Bricktown, especially since the signs say that it is "the hippest place to live in Bricktown" or "Deep Deuce at Bricktown." The main question that I guess I have to ask about this is, "Does the history belong to the people who have 'bought' and are 'selling' it?"
This is something that I am definitely going to address in my project, but I don't think that my words can do it justice. Pictures and pamphlets are so revealing. I am glad that the markers are there, though, so that the area will at least offer some insight to those who care. As the area is absorbed (as it seems it will be) into Bricktown, this will, at least help it maintain some sense of identity.
Perhaps the reason it is being marketed as alongside or in Bricktown is that in this cleaned-up presentation of the past, we just want to sweep the idea of segregation under the rug. It's not a "pretty" idea to think that at one time, those famous jazz artists and even MLK Jr. stayed in a hotel in Deep Deuce because they were excluded from the best hotels in the city that happened to lie on the other side of the tracks, literally.
I like this question because I can see it going both ways. I really believe that the historical references are very benificial to the area. They expose new people who otherwise would take no interest in the area. Truly what the powers that were did was find something interesting and use it to bring in money. I guess that pretty much is the definitoin of exploition, but maybe it wasn't all that bad.
I missed this question. I think that they have tried to keep some of the historical references in Deep Deuce, but I think it would have been nice if there was more of the older buildings or even a mueseum in the area with old artifacts or something. Some people maybe would say that we are exploiting the past, but how could we ever feel like we new our ansestors if we didn't keep our history going.
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