The future of Jackson Ward is a difficult thing to watch if you know a little about old, real old, Richmond. What once was one of the wealthiest communities for African-Americans now is home to a disproportionate amount of unproductive adults and teenagers elementary school kids who identify their residence there in a relatively depressing way. How is this done? Well, there are those who vandalize and litter on the land as if the area was assigned to be a garbage dump. Others use porches and alleys as thoroughfares for narcotic transactions that parallel the hopelessness that is associated with J-Dub. And although the [documented] murder rate is not anywhere near the level it was in the '90s, homicides still promote a grim outlook of this once vibrant area. These certainly are serious problems, but in my opinion the paramount issue concerning this neighborhood can be seen through the methods of communication and the lack of manners from its most precious resource, the adolescents. With the way in which some choose to socialize, it's clear they don't recognize the pride that comes with their existence.
Some months I was flipping the channels and landed on the live viewing of a Richmond City Council meeting. The image on the screen showed a portly white man wearing a flannel shirt and a cowboy hat that seemed to double as a fishing hat. He even had on the vest like he just came from Osborne. Anyway, I listened to this southern Santa Claus stand at the podium and proudly request that the water tower that stands over Bon Air in South Richmond should be labeled, "Welcome to Bon Air." Some of the council members seemed to find humor in this man's proposal, as shown by their own comical remarks. Others took the Bon Air resident seriously, and a few even openly agreed that the marking on the water tower would add cultural value to the landscape. I took interest that this man felt his community was important enough to announce its location to others. Currently, I only have a general knowledge of the neighborhood. And I witnessed some of its stereotypes back in the day. But obviously it is a worthy home to others.
Wouldn't be great if some cats from Jackson Ward did something similar. I'm not so sure how a "Welcome to Jackson Ward" on the old St. Luke building would go over, but it doesn't have to begin with that. It possibly could begin with some of the neighborhoods' men and women (current or former) organizing a research effort to bring attention to the known facts of the neighborhoods' past; particularly the area where Gilpin Court now stands. These findings could be compiled into a curriculum that is offered in the Richmond Public School system. Far stretch, but maybe the birth of a Richmond or Virginia history elective. Or maybe the information could just be available at the Calhoun Center; possibly an article in the RRHA publication. Just something to let the kids know what J-Dub was been before she was crippled in the by the priorities of the federal government. Not necessarily to save Gilpin Court, but to encourage the kid that wants to go to college in an area where that plan seems lofty. And then come back to the land and proudly purchase one of the $180,000 homes that they plan to build there after they tear the projects down.
I'm just spitballin' off of what my eyes capture. And I know all of the arguments against why this wouldn't work. Still, my Jackson Ward readers, give it a thought.
Peace
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