Saturday, April 30, 2011

Douglas Block Festival

Photo copyrighted to James Smith (2011 (c) jamestsmith72@gmail.com)

Today I decide to attend and photography the Douglas Block and Haramabee Festival in Rocky Mount, NC. Well the work on the Douglas is almost complete, The Block looks great.

As I walk around taking photographs of the folks whom attended this event, I was saddened to see that racial lines in Rocky Mount still exists today. Douglas Block back in its early days was the hub for local African-Americans Businesses and Social life. Over time as Rocky Mount grew, many changes happen to the Douglas black and the rest of Downtown Rocky Mount.

During its golden age, the Douglas Block was brimming with economic activities and entrepreneurial spirit. It was the heart of the community. On Saturday afternoon you could find everything from clothes to doctors, food to entertainment, dancing and plenty of jazz, and see all your friends along the way. It was a community full of spirit, diversity, and an incredible hub of commerce, culture and entertainment. (to learn more click here)

Most of Downtown Rocky Mount is wore down and falling apart. The City Council decided to revive Down Town in hopes that new life would be brought back to downtown.

It was sad to see that Many of Rocky Mount white citizens didn't show up to support their city efforts to put Rocky Mount back on the map and to proudly say once again, Rocky Mount, The City on the Rise. Yes they are trying to Rise from their ashes of the past into a better future.

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