I'll Take You There

Description

Before there were guidebooks, there were just guides—people in the community you could count on to show you around.

I'll Take You There is written by and with the people who most intimately know Nashville, foregrounding the struggles and achievements of people's movements toward social justice. The colloquial use of "I'll take you there" has long been a response to the call of a stranger: for recommendations of safe passage through unfamiliar territory, a decent meal and place to lay one's head, or perhaps a watering hole or juke joint.

In this book, more than one hundred Nashvillians "take us there," guiding us to places we might not otherwise encounter. Their collective entries bear witness to the ways that power has been used by social, political, and economic elites to tell or omit certain stories, while celebrating the power of counternarratives as a tool to resist injustice. Indeed, each entry is simultaneously a story about place, power, and the historic and ongoing struggle toward a more just city for all. The result is akin to the experience of asking for directions in an unfamiliar place and receiving a warm offer from a local to lead you on, accompanied by a tale or two.
Introduction

Chapter One: Downtown
An Introduction to Downtown
1. Nunna-daul-Tsuny (Trail Where They Cried)
2. Public Square
3. Maxwell House Hotel
4. Juanita's
5. Ryman Auditorium
6. Tara Cole Memorial Bench
7. Black Bottom (Country Music Hall of Fame)
8. Downtown Incinerator / Ascend Amphitheatre
9. Tent City / 2010 Flood
10. James Robertson Apartments
11. Nashville Public Library Civil Rights Room
12. Walgreens Lunch Counter
13. Tennessee State Capitol
14. The Hermitage Hotel
15. Legislative Plaza
16. Music City Central Bus Station Bathroom
17. The Nashville Globe
18. Duncan Hotel
19. The Nashville Farmers' Market
20. First Baptist Church, Capitol Hill

Chapter Two: Northwest
An Introduction to Northwest Nashville
1. Gateway to Heritage / I-40
2. American Baptist College
3. Clark Memorial Methodist Church
4. Fisk University
5. Jubilee Hall
6. Tennessee State University
7. Hadley Park
8. Meharry Medical College
9. Nashville Greenlands
10. Pearl High School
11. Planned Parenthood
12. The Tennessee State Penitentiary
13. William Edmondson Park
14. John Henry Hale Apartments
15. Z. Alexander Looby's home
16. Bordeaux Landfill
17. Southern Publishing Association
18. Beaman Park / Bells Bend

Chapter Three: Northeast
An Introduction to Northeast Nashville
1. John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge
2. Greenwood Cemetery
3. Edgefield House
4. Sunday Night Soul at the 5 Spot
5. QDP
6. Hattie Cotton Elementary
7. First Baptist Church of East Nashville
8. Winfrey's Barber Shop
9. Stratford High School
10. Cornelia Fort Park
11. Nashville National Cemetery / US Colored Troops National Monument
12. Mansker Station
13. Gass's Store / Cinco de Mayo Mexican Restaurant

Chapter Four: Southeast
An Introduction to Southeast Nashville
1. Nashville International Airport / Nashville Metro Taxi Drivers Alliance
2. The Camps of Saint Cloud Hill
3. Wilson Park
4. Nashville Fairgrounds
5. Casa Azafrán
6. Clairmont Apartments
7. The Buddhist Temple
8. La Hacienda Taqueria y SuperMercado
9. Workers' Dignity
10. Global Mall at the Crossings
11. Hands On Nashville Urban Farm
12. Salahadeen Center
13. Nashville Zoo at Grassmere

Chapter Five: Southwest
An Introduction to Southwest Nashville
1. Capers Memorial Christian Methodist Episcopal Church
2. Local 257 American Federation of Musicians
3. Nashville Songwriters Association International
4. Music Row / Quonset Hut
5. Edgehill United Methodist Church
6. Edgehill Village
7. Scarritt Bennett Center
8. Roger Williams University
9. Vanderbilt Divinity School
10. Confederate Memorial Hall
11. Memorial Gymnasium
12. Vanderbilt Kirkland Hall / Occupy Vanderbilt
13. Centennial Park
14. The Parthenon
15. Fannie Mae Dees Park
16. International Market and Restaurant
17. Carver Food Park
18. CCA/CoreCivic
19. Glendale Baptist Church
20. Radnor Lake
21. Gordon Jewish Community Center
22. Aaittafama' Archeological Park

Chapter Six: On the Road
Introduction
1. Promise Land
2. Wessyngton Plantation
3. Coal Creek Miners Museum
4. Highlander Research and Education Center
5. Islamic Center of Murfreesboro
6. The Town of Old Jefferson
7. The Farm
8. Giles County Trail of Tears Interpretive Center
9. Walnut Street Bridge, Chattanooga
10. Mound Bottom
11. Fayette County Courthouse

Chapter Seven: Thematic Tours
1. "It City"
2. Athens of the South
3. Music City
4. Southern Hospitality

Recommended Reading

Sujets

• Civil Rights
• Public history
• Travel
• South
• Civil and political rights
• Nashville, Tennessee
• United States
• History
• US
• Nashville

Informations

• Publié par: Vanderbilt University Press
• Date de parution: 15 mai 2021
• Nombre de lectures: 1
• EAN13: 9780826501547
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 25 Mo

Extrait

I’LL TAKE YOU THERE
I’LL TAKE YOU THERE
EXPLORING NASHVILLE’S SOCIAL JUSTICE SITES
EDITED BY
AMIE THURBER AND LEAROTHA WILLIAMS JR.
VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY PRESS
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE
Copyright 2021 Vanderbilt University Press
All rights reserved
First printing 2021
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Names: Thurber, Amie, editor. | Williams, Learotha, Jr., editor.
Title: I’ll take you there : Nashville stories of place, power, and the struggle for social justice / Amie Thurber, Learotha Williams Jr.
Description: Nashville : Vanderbilt University Press, [2021] | Includes bibliographical references.
Identifiers: LCCN 2021000001 (print) | LCCN 2021000002 (ebook) | ISBN 9780826501530 (paperback) | ISBN 9780826501547 (epub) | ISBN 9780826501561 (pdf)
Subjects: LCSH: Social justice—Tennessee—Nashville. | Nashville (Tenn.)—Guidebooks. | LCGFT: Guidebooks.
Classification: LCC F444.N23 I44 2021 (print) | LCC F444.N23 (ebook) | DDC 976.8/55—dc23
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2021000001
LC ebook record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2021000002
We dedicate this work to the life and memory of Kwame Lillard . When we first began this project there was no doubt among those that gathered that if we were going to attempt a work that explored sites of social justice, we would have to include his voice. For much of his adult life, Kwame fought for justice. Kwame was our gladiator; our dashiki-clad champion, and the Music City was his coliseum.
He walked, he sat, he rode, he swam, he shouted, and he wrote for the cause of freedom. He added to our understanding of the past and how it informed the present, and he demonstrated how his love for his community was the strongest weapon in his arsenal.
When Kwame raised his fist to the heavens, striking a pose that those of us who knew him recognized and adored, he became a symbol of power and a commitment to justice and equality. With him on our side, anything seemed possible, and all enemies—despite how formidable they appeared—could be vanquished.
We miss our dear friend and colleague and dedicate this book to his memory as one of Nashville’s most outstanding and heroic citizens.
Lea Williams and Amie Thurber
Spring 2021
CONTENTS
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
INTRODUCTION
1. DOWNTOWN
AN INTRODUCTION TO DOWNTOWN
1.1 Nunna-daul-Tsuny (Trail Where They Cried)
1.2 Public Square
1.3 Maxwell House Hotel
1.4 Juanita’s
1.5 Ryman Auditorium
1.6 Tara Cole Memorial Bench
1.7 Black Bottom (Country Music Hall of Fame)
1.8 Downtown Incinerator / Ascend Amphitheatre
1.9 Tent City / 2010 Flood
1.10 James Robertson Apartments
1.11 Nashville Public Library Civil Rights Room
1.12 Walgreens Lunch Counter
1.13 Tennessee State Capitol
1.14 The Hermitage Hotel
1.15 Legislative Plaza
1.16 Music City Central Bus Station Bathroom
1.17 The Nashville Globe
1.18 Duncan Hotel
1.19 The Nashville Farmers’ Market
1.20 First Baptist Church, Capitol Hill
2. NORTHWEST
AN INTRODUCTION TO NORTHWEST NASHVILLE
2.1 Gateway to Heritage / I-40
2.2 American Baptist College
2.3 Clark Memorial Methodist Church
2.4 Fisk University
2.5 Jubilee Hall
2.6 Tennessee State University
2.7 Hadley Park
2.8 Meharry Medical College
2.9 Nashville Greenlands
2.10 Pearl High School
2.11 Planned Parenthood
2.12 The Tennessee State Penitentiary
2.13 William Edmondson Park
2.14 John Henry Hale Apartments
2.15 Z. Alexander Looby’s home
2.16 Bordeaux Landfill
2.17 Southern Publishing Association
2.18 Beaman Park / Bells Bend
3. NORTHEAST
AN INTRODUCTION TO NORTHEAST NASHVILLE
3.1 John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge
3.2 Greenwood Cemetery
3.3 Edgefield House
3.4 Sunday Night Soul at the 5 Spot
3.5 QDP
3.6 Hattie Cotton Elementary
3.7 First Baptist Church of East Nashville
3.8 Winfrey’s Barber Shop
3.9 Stratford High School
3.10 Cornelia Fort Park
3.11 Nashville National Cemetery / US Colored Troops National Monument
3.12 Mansker Station
3.13 Gass’s Store / Cinco de Mayo Mexican Restaurant
4. SOUTHEAST
AN INTRODUCTION TO SOUTHEAST NASHVILLE
4.1 Nashville International Airport / Nashville Metro Taxi Drivers Alliance
4.2 The Camps of Saint Cloud Hill
4.3 Wilson Park
4.4 Nashville Fairgrounds
4.5 Casa Azafrán
4.6 Clairmont Apartments
4.7 The Buddhist Temple
4.8 La Hacienda Taqueria y SuperMercado
4.9 Workers’ Dignity
4.10 Global Mall at the Crossings
4.11 Hands On Nashville Urban Farm
4.12 Salahadeen Center
4.13 Nashville Zoo at Grassmere
5. SOUTHWEST
AN INTRODUCTION TO SOUTHWEST NASHVILLE
5.1 Capers Memorial Christian Methodist Episcopal Church
5.2 Local 257 American Federation of Musicians
5.3 Nashville Songwriters Association International
5.4 Music Row / Quonset Hut
5.5 Edgehill United Methodist Church
5.6 Edgehill Village
5.7 Scarritt Bennett Center
5.8 Roger Williams University
5.9 Vanderbilt Divinity School
5.10 Confederate Memorial Hall
5.11 Memorial Gymnasium
5.12 Vanderbilt Kirkland Hall / Occupy Vanderbilt
5.13 Centennial Park
5.14 The Parthenon
5.15 Fannie Mae Dees Park
5.16 International Market and Restaurant
5.17 Carver Food Park
5.18 CCA/CoreCivic
5.19 Glendale Baptist Church
5.20 Radnor Lake
5.21 Gordon Jewish Community Center
5.22 Aaittafama’ Archeological Park
6. ON THE ROAD
INTRODUCTION
6.1 Promise Land
6.2 Wessyngton Plantation
6.3 Coal Creek Miners Museum
6.4 Highlander Research and Education Center
6.5 Islamic Center of Murfreesboro
6.6 The Town of Old Jefferson
6.7 The Farm
6.8 Giles County Trail of Tears Interpretive Center
6.9 Walnut Street Bridge, Chattanooga
6.10 Mound Bottom
6.11 Fayette County Courthouse
7. THEMATIC TOURS
7.1 “It City”
7.2 Athens of the South
7.3 Music City
7.4 Southern Hospitality
RECOMMENDED READING
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
WE SET OUT TO create an alternative guide to Nashville, written by those who intimately know the city, and we have incredible appreciation for the more than one hundred people who co-authored this guide. We are indebted to the contributions from our students, thankful for the participation of our academic colleagues, and are particularly grateful to the fifty-nine community members—community organizers, small-business owners, neighborhood leaders, civil servants, and more—who shared histories of Nashville that might not otherwise be documented, in their own words. In the course of collecting and editing these stories, three contributing authors were laid to rest, underscoring the significance of this project.
This project was inspired by the People’s Guide to Los Angeles , and we are honored to have had coaching and support from its authors: Laura Barraclough, Laura Pulido, and Wendy Cheng. Your work elevates the importance of counter-stories in animating more just relationships with our past, present, and future. We are indebted to the Advisory Committee members who helped envision this book, including Joe Bandy, Tristan Call, Daniel B. Cornfield, K. T. Ewing, Kelly Frances Fenelon, Jyoti Gupta, Rogers Hall, Mike Hodge, Elizabeth Meadows, Reavis Mitchell, Hasina Mohyuddin, Wayne Moore, David Padgett, Sarah Passino, Doug Perkins, Leah Roberts, Sharon Shields, Loraine Segovia-Paz, Paul Speer, Kimberly Tripplett, Janet Walsh, and Linda Wynn. You collectively held us to our commitment to democratize the telling of place-stories and helped operationalize that intention by recruiting prospective authors and submitting entries yourselves. Tristan deserves particular credit for offering a guiding vision at one of our first meetings: “Once this comes out, I want a hundred people in Nashville to be able to pick up this guide and say, ‘Yeah, I helped write that.’ ” Eight years later, that vision is now realized.
In many ways, the engine for collecting entries for this guide became a graduate course in Vanderbilt University’s Community Development and Action program. Over two years, students were charged with building relationships with community partners to collectively document sites of significance in Nashville’s struggle for social justice. We are grateful to Sarah Suiter, the program director, for believing in this project and integrating it so fully into the program. Coordinating and completing this project would not have been possible without the dedicated work of student research assistants Hannah Collins, Katie Goodman, Joseph Guttierez, Ryan Schooly, Quinntana Slaughter, Mike Thompson, and Bailey Via. These students solicited and co-authored entries, conducted archival research, maintained a public presence for the project, and created systems to manage and track all entries. The editorial team acknowledges the contributions of Tristan Call, Jyoti Gupta, and Sarah Passino to the introduction, and the contributions of Katie Goodman and Mike Thompson to the thematic tours.
While not a history text, this guide is historical in nature, and there were many people who helped ensure this guide was historically robust. Special thanks to Deirdre Duker for assistance in identifying sites of significance to early Nashville feminists and LGBTQ communities and to Pat Cummings for providing expertise related