Structural racism and archaeological practice - the archaeology of razed African American industrial communities.

Summary

The coal company towns found throughout West Virginia and Central Appalachia were compact, racially diverse communities housing African Americans, white americans, and various european immigrant groups.  However, when the industry contracted after World War II, racial firing practices meant that many African American families were forced to leave the area. These newly vacant lots were often repurposed for further industrial use, effectively destroying the material record of many of the African Americans that once called the region home during its industrial boom. A severe lack of both material remains and modern descendants has effectively led to a ‘whitewashing’ West Virginia’s labor history, that does not consider the important roles carried out by people of color.  This paper examines how these forces of structural racism affect our ability to study minority groups archaeologically, and suggests solutions to begin overcoming these problems.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Paper / Report Submission (General Sessions) 2017   •
• Society for Historical Archaeology 2017

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Contact(s): Society for Historical Archaeology

Record Identifiers

PaperId(s): 663