Restoring Visibility to Black Cemeteries in the US
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The MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida, has confirmed the location of a Black cemetery through a non-intrusive archaeological survey, identifying 121 potential graves with ground-penetrating radar. Historian Rodney Kite-Powell alerted the base about the cemetery, used from the 1840s to the 1920s, which had been forgotten or purchased for redevelopment. The Port Tampa Cemetery site had a plaque stating its history, one of several African American cemeteries in the area that faced neglect or development. Zion Cemetery, Tampa’s oldest Black cemetery, was rediscovered in 2019 beneath a housing complex, showcasing deliberate efforts to obscure its existence for development.
Countless African American cemeteries have faced deliberate neglect, destruction, or damage, with structural racism marginalizing Black communities. Stories of cemeteries being treated as disposable land for development rather than sacred spaces are prevalent. The Black Cemetery Network is working to connect advocates and organizations caring for these sites. The African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund focuses on conserving historic Black cemeteries, facing challenges like land ownership and neglect. Civil rights barriers have hindered progress in preserving these cultural sites.
The article highlights the need for federal funding to support descendant-led care of these neglected sites, contrasting with the substantial investments in Confederate graves. Efforts to conserve and recognize the cultural heritage of Black cemeteries are paramount, honoring the history and individuals often overlooked. The ongoing survey at the Port Tampa Cemetery symbolizes the first step in acknowledging and honoring the long-forgotten dead buried on the site.
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Elara Voss, graduated from the Royal College of Art in London with a Master’s in Fine Art. She specializes in contemporary sculpture and installation art, exploring themes of nature and human interaction. Elara’s works have been featured in several group exhibitions across Europe, and she is currently working on her first solo show.