Black Eden : the Idlewild community / Lewis Walker, Ben C. Wilson.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Walker, Lewis, 1936-

Contributor:

Wilson, Benjamin C.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

African Americans--Michigan--Idlewild--History.

African Americans.

African Americans--Michigan--Idlewild--Social life and customs.

African Americans--Michigan--Idlewild--Social conditions.

City planning--Michigan--Idlewild--History.

City planning.

Idlewild (Mich.)--History.

Idlewild (Mich.).

Idlewild (Mich.)--Social life and customs.

Idlewild (Mich.)--Social conditions.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (283 p.)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

East Lansing : Michigan State University Press, c2002.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

Black Eden chronicles the history of Idlewild, a Michigan black community founded during the aftermath of the Civil War. As one of the nation's most popular black resorts, Idlewild functioned as a gathering place for African Americans, and more importantly as a touchstone of black identity and culture. Benjamin C. Wilson and Lewis Walker examine Idlewild's significance within a historical context, as well as the town's revitalization efforts and the need for comprehensive planning in future development. In a segregated America, Idlewild became a place where black audiences could

Contents:

Contents; Acknowledgments; Introduction; 1. Establishing the Foundations of a Black Resort in Michigan; Early History: A Logging Community in Michigan; Racial Segregation, Northern Style; The Formative Years and the Idlewild Resort Company, 1915-1927; The Contractual Agreement; The IRC Plan; Sociological Illuminations; 2. Continuation of a Good Deal; The Formation of Idlewild Summer Resort Company; Articles of Association; The Idlewild Summer Resort Company Plan of Development; The Business District in Idlewild; Sociological Illuminations; 3. The Popular Place to Be; Promotion of the Resort

Special Music and Poems Written for IdlewildThe Emergent Cleavages at Idlewild; The Skin Color Factor: Intraracial Strife and Problems of Social Distance; Other Related Developments; Sociological Illuminations; 4. An Emergent Black Entertainment Showcase; The Chitlin Circuit; The Signifiance of Idlewild Clubs to Entertainers; White Music Lovers at Idlewild; On Stage at Idlewild; Escape to Woodland Park for Rest; Nature, Swimming, Boating, and Horseback Riding; Some Famous Athletes at Idlewild; Sociological Illuminations

5. Some Intended and Unintended Consequences in the Black Community During the Civil Rights EraLiving in a Caste System in the United States; The Civil Rights Movement versus the Caste System; On Integration: A New Phase and a New Crisis; Self-Validation, Self -Actualization, and Identity; The Dual Challenge: Transforming America through Integration versus Racial Solidarity; Some Shortcomings of Public Accommodations Act and Integration; Did Public Accommodations Act Alone Kill Idlewild?; Idlewild Will Always Be There!; "Greener Pastures"; Lack of Leadership and Vision

An Incomplete Infrastructure: Another FactorThe Passing of the Great Ones; Idlewild: A Question of Survival; Sociological Illuminations; 6. A Snapshot of Idlewild's Contemporary Social Status; Social Structure of Idlewild; Some Social Demographics; The Business Picture in Idlewild; The Employment and Income Situation; Crime and Delinquency in the Township; The Housing Dilemma in Idlewild; Family Concerns; Educational Status and Problems; Environmental Issues; The Transportation System; Hope and Anxiety for the Future of Idlewild; Sociological Illuminations

7. Revitalization: 1960-2000 ActivitiesMid-Sixties: The Shadies and the Saints; A New Breed Brings Hope to Old-Timers; Activities to Stop the Downward Spiral; Activities to Remove Squatters and Improve the Community; Activities from the Yates Township Board: A Time for Action; More Recent Efforts to Revitalize Idlewild; An Acceleration of Activities to Turn the Community Around; FiveCAP: A Major Piece of the Revitalization Puzzle; Sociological Illuminations; 8. A Need for a Comprehensive Strategic Plan: Some Suggestions; A Need for Definitional Clarity of the Community

The Importance of a Paradigm Shift and Transformative Leaders

Notes:

Description based upon print version of record.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

0-87013-966-5

OCLC:

606777708