PROPOSAL TYPE
Roundtable
SEEKING
- Seeking General Feedback and Interest
- Seeking Specific Expertise
- Seeking Additional Presenters
RELATED TOPICS
- Public Engagement
- Reflections on the Field
- Social Justice
ABSTRACT
In Summer 2022, Historic Columbia (Columbia, SC) joined nature non-profit Columbia Green (Columbia, SC) on the Columbia Canopy Project. The project (forthcoming Fall 2023) seeks to address structural racism through community histories and environmental justice. Histories focused on how the city’s historically marginalized communities were affected by and dealt with structural racism. Shade trees were planted in participating communities to memorialize their unsung heroes and provide a beautiful space for residents to learn about the history of their community and those who contributed to its betterment.
DESCRIPTION
In Summer 2022, Historic Columbia (Columbia, SC) joined nature non-profit Columbia Green (Columbia, SC) on the Columbia Canopy Project. The project (forthcoming Fall 2023) seeks to address structural racism through community histories and environmental justice. Histories focused on how the city’s historically marginalized communities were affected by and dealt with structural racism. Shade trees were planted in participating communities to memorialize their unsung heroes and provide a beautiful space for residents to learn about the history of their community and those who contributed to its betterment. Historic Columbia focused on the history side of things. Columbia Green focused on the community outreach and tree-planting side of things.
My idea for the proposal is to outline the work done on the Columbia Canopy Project, with the ultimate goal of starting/contributing to a conversation on the innovative ways that public historians have engaged with the communities they serve. While memorial trees are nothing new, more than 100 trees were planted as part of this project honoring dozens of leaders from 23 historically marginalized communities. This city-wide project feels very innovative and I am seeking presenters who feel similar about the public history/community outreach work they are doing. Fitting into the conference’s theme of urgency, I think it is especially important for public history organizations to start/continue finding allies so that they can work together to address the most pressing issues affecting the health of their communities. If anyone has thoughts or interest in this project or collaborating please reach out!
If you have a direct offer of assistance, sensitive criticism, or wish to pass along someone’s contact information confidentially, please get in contact directly: Eric Friendly, Historic Columbia, [email protected]
ALL FEEDBACK AND OFFERS OF ASSISTANCE SHOULD BE SUBMITTED BY JULY 7, 2023. If you have general ideas or feedback to share, please feel free to use the comments feature below.
I like how this proposal integrates greening-community efforts and histories of structural racism, but I encourage you to simultaneously be more explicit *and* widen your scope. As for specifics, I’m interested in what you mean by “how the city’s historically marginalized communities were affected by and dealt with structural racism” and “were planted in participating communities to memorialize their unsung heroes and provide a beautiful space for residents.” Phrases like “were affected by” and “were planted in” erase the people– who are these communities? Who did the planting? Verbs like “affected” and “dealt with” minimize the specific, material harms. It also sounds like this project did more than beautify the neighborhood. There are important political actions embedded in this proposal, but I’d like to see these drawn out.
You may want to reach out to alumni of the Humanities Action Lab’s program “Climates of Inequality” (https://climatesofinequality.org/) as potential roundtable participants. They may have suggestions how you could broaden the scope of this proposal to feature stories and experiences of public historians involved with environmental justice projects.
I agree that I do like the fact you are exploring social justice and environmental justice in this roundtable discussion but I, too, am unclear on what you mean about “structural racism” and the focus of historically marginalized communities in Columbia, South Carolina. I would also like to see a more specific focus and what outcomes are you hoping to reveal at this roundtable?
Best to you on coordinating this session.
Fascinating project, Eric! I’ll echo the other comments about widening your scope in some way. Catherine McNeur did work on heritage trees and maybe she or someone she knows could provide you with additional insights or connections. Her work differs from what you’ve outlined here but there might be some useful points of discussion related to trees (or other green spaces) and how they overlap with commemoration of different types.
I agree with other’s comments with regards to conceptual clarity. In addition, what is the nature and scope of similar programs. Here in Salt Lake City the mayor has started a plant a tree program for West Salt Lake City, which historically has been marginalized and ripe for environmental racism. However, I think a heritage tree program like you describe could help bulid sustainable support within and outside of the West Salt Lake City community.