Vermont Business Magazine A ledger documenting the everyday activities of a Black woman living in a segregated neighborhood in Shreveport, Louisiana after World War II is driving research by the woman’s granddaughter – an academic fellow at Saint Michael’s College – and giving insight into how residents of these neighborhoods used education and literacy to work toward attaining liberation.
Jolivette Anderson-Douoning, the Edmundite African American Fellow in the Saint Michael’s History Department and a PhD Candidate in the Purdue University American Studies Program, has used the ledger kept by her grandmother to inform parts of her dissertation research.
The North Louisiana native will present a public lecture titled, “Louisiana Learning: History and education from within a segregated black neighborhood in Shreveport.” The free event, which highlights research from the second chapter of Anderson-Douoning's dissertation, will be held April 13 at 6 p.m. on campus and via Zoom webinar.
“The national history of the United States does not often take into account the many local people who lived and worked in the neighborhoods designated to be segregated from White neighborhoods,” said Anderson-Douoning in describing her research. “It is because of segregated neighborhoods that segregated schools existed.”
In addition to her grandmother’s ledger, Anderson-Douoning uses oral histories and other primary documents from Black women living in the Hollywood neighborhood of Shreveport between 1944 and 1960. Through these stories, she paints a micro history of Black life and culture through the lens of activity in and around the schools – including African American pursuits for upward mobility through education.
These pursuits, which Anderson-Douoning has labeled “acts of liberation,” show the brave, creative, and often overlooked ways that Black residents in these segregated neighborhoods would push back against rampant oppression and racism.
If you go:
· What: “Louisiana Learning: History and education from within a segregated black neighborhood in Shreveport,” lecture by Jolivette Anderson-Douoning
· When: Thursday, April 13, 2023, at 6 p.m.
· Where: McCarthy Arts Center Recital Hall and Zoom webinar
· Cost: Free
· More information and Zoom webinar link: https://www.smcvt.edu/event/louisiana-learning-history-and-education-from-within-a-black-neighborhood-in-shreveport/
About Saint Michael’s College
Saint Michael's College, founded on principles of social justice and leading lives of purpose and consequence, is a selective, Catholic college just outside Burlington, Vermont, one of the country's best college towns. Located between the Green Mountains and Lake Champlain, our closely connected community guarantees housing all four years and delivers internationally respected liberal arts together with an innovative Purposeful Learning Program, preparing students for fulfilling careers and meaningful lives. Young adults here grow intellectually, socially, and morally, learning to be responsible for themselves, each other, and their world.
Source: COLCHESTER, VT – Saint Michael’s College www.smcvt.edu
