The article “Traffic Jam” delves into the unexpected connection between slavery and traffic congestion on Atlanta’s interstate highway. It reveals a troubling history of discrimination intertwined with city planning. It can be concluded that racism and segregation were deeply embedded in urban renewal and city development. The concept of separation and containment can be seen as a symbolic reason for the traffic jam.
This link can be traced back to the aftermath of the Civil War, when slave owners shifted from controlling African Americans to wanting them out of sight. This led to intentional segregation in city planning, with neighborhoods designed to keep blacks and whites apart. Post-war programs, such as the New Deal, further perpetuated this by labeling minority neighborhoods as poor investments for bank loans and mortgages. This resulted in the blighting of these neighborhoods and the forced relocation of minorities into ghettos.
Today, the large interstate highways in cities serve as a stark reminder of the deliberate segregation by city planners. They divide white and black neighborhoods in cities across America, perpetuating segregation and displacement of minorities. The infrastructure of these cities is deeply rooted in slavery and institutional racism. The ongoing traffic jams on these highways serve as a lasting metaphor for the enduring effects of segregation.
I think the image came out pretty well when describing the text. About the Article, I feel like the introduction from the first paragraph would’ve been better if you also claimed something about the traffic jam instead of just explaining what it is. I think he ended the text in a good way without missing anything.
I truly appreciate how you depict what transpired and how society changed following and so during the the Civil War. To support your argument, I would have elaborated more on Marta’s refusal. However, you made a very clear and succinct point, and even without that additional information, I can still comprehend the issue you are attempting to raise.
I want to read your post because of the image. The chains bring character to the writing. It is sad that urban planning is the biggest reason why black neighborhoods are in trouble. I love the sun in the back
To start, I think the picture that you created is really captivating, it is really creative and matches the main topic here that you capture in your writing. When talking about your writing, I like how you dated back to the civil war and how slave owners wanted to control the population of African Americans and wanted them out of sight. This definitely can connect to things like modern-day segregation and how many Black Americans deal with this today. Lastly, I think you did well with your terminology and how you referred to highways as a “stark reminder of the deliberate segregation by city planners”.
Your captivating cover image drew me in. It can be seen as a metaphor for how modern-day infrastructure and its effects are rooted in slavery. In your post, you wrote how after the Civil War white Americans shifted from owning slaves to trying to separate themselves from African Americans completely. This is shown in how urban renewal projects such as highways are used to segregate white residents from POC residents. The chains on the black man in the middle of an expressway are symbolism of how Black people are still bound by the past in the fact that they are separated into sections that have fewer opportunities and resources than their white counterparts.
I really like the way you describe what happened after the Civil War and how it shifted. I would have gone more in depth about the rejection of Marta to further your point. Your point was very clear and concise though and even without that extra info I can still understand the problem you are trying to convey. If you remember, what prompts did you use to get your cover image because I think it fits well with your post?
I want to read your post because of the image. The chains bring character to the writing. It is sad that urban planning is the biggest reason why black neighborhoods are in trouble.