Date of Award
2018
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelors
Department
Social Sciences
First Advisor
Brain, David
Area of Concentration
Social Sciences
Abstract
This thesis is concerned with the development of the Rosemary District in Sarasota, also known as Historic Overtown. As a way of investigating the history of Overtown, namely the Black migration to Newtown and the ensuing gentrification, I conducted nine oral histories with local social activists who have ties to the neighborhood. I also analyzed historic and contemporary aerial photos to understand the spatial dimensions of Newtown’s segregation. Both forms of data are preceded by a theoretical framing and a background history of Sarasota to provide context. They are followed by a discussion of the intersection of race and space, and the relevance of the stories shared by my participants. I conclude with the argument that a public history of Overtown is valuable to discussing the contingency of segregation and social inequality.
Recommended Citation
Cooney, William, "FROM OVERTOWN TO ROSEMARY: EXPLORING RACE AND SPACE THROUGH ORAL HISTORIES OF SARASOTA’S FIRST AFRICAN AMERICAN DISTRICT" (2018). Theses & ETDs. 5499.
https://digitalcommons.ncf.edu/theses_etds/5499