Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects
Date of Degree
6-2022
Document Type
Capstone Project
Degree Name
M.A.
Program
Liberal Studies
Advisor
Matthew Reilly
Subject Categories
African American Studies | Archaeological Anthropology | Digital Humanities | Museum Studies | Other History of Art, Architecture, and Archaeology | Public History | Social and Cultural Anthropology | Social Justice | United States History
Keywords
historical archaeology, new york city history, historic sites, museums, whiteness, racial justice
Abstract
In the United States, transatlantic slavery was a racial project and template for race-making which created a country that relied on institutions that were organized and performed through social stratification. Today, the nation still operates on systemically racist institutions that have benefited whites while disadvantaging ‘others.’ The narratives presented in American history are rooted in whiteness and benefit the white community while marginalizing nonwhites. Over two hundred years of slavery history in this country has been purposely manipulated and left out. My research focuses on using an historical archaeological framework to research and share the lives of free and enslaved Africans in 17th – 19th century Upper Manhattan. By revisiting documents and materials in the 21st century, I can apply Black, Indigenous, and feminist lenses with a critical pedagogical approach to counteract intentional misinterpretations of the past. My capstone project is a digital storytelling of the lived experiences of free and enslaved Africans in Upper Manhattan. I challenge cultural institutions to learn and develop best practices for implementing enslaved narratives at their sites.
Recommended Citation
Barnes, Stephanie E., "North of the Grid: The Black Experience of 17th -19th Century Rural New York City" (2022). CUNY Academic Works.
https://academicworks.cuny.edu/gc_etds/4891
Capstone Project Website - North of the Grid: The Black Experience of 17th -19th Century Rural New York City
Stephanie Barnes North of the Grid WARC.warc (130307 kB)
Archived website as a WARC file
Included in
African American Studies Commons, Archaeological Anthropology Commons, Digital Humanities Commons, Museum Studies Commons, Other History of Art, Architecture, and Archaeology Commons, Public History Commons, Social and Cultural Anthropology Commons, Social Justice Commons, United States History Commons