Dahabra 1

Chafic Dahabra
HON 1000
Dr. Hudson
November 6th, 2016
Rosa Parks Boulevard
Rosa Parks Blvd is not only a street, but also a sentimental historical site to many Detroit
residents today. Initially, it was known as 12th Street, but was later renamed as Rosa Parks Blvd
on July 11th, 1976 at 11:00 AM. (Rosa Parks Papers) It carries a background of a significant
issue that was dealt with years prior to it's ribbon ceremony date: racism. The problem became so
severe, it broke out a riot held at this street in 1967. (Detroit Riots Tell of Americas History of
Racism) However, this riot was not like any ordinary riot; it was described as "one of the most
violent urban revolts in the 20th century." (Detroit Race Riot (1967)) Rosa Parks Blvd, a historic
road in which an iconic riot took place and racial rights were fought for; a victory for Rosa Parks
and her people.
At the time of the riot, African-Americans, considered as the lower-class, were struggling
in Detroit's society. Somewhere between 25 and 30 percent of young blacks (between the age
eighteen to twenty-four) were out of work. Since WWII, racial tension was constantly being built
between the blacks and whites. Approximately 50,000 African-Americans migrated from the
South to Detroit in hopes of obtaining a job in the automobile industry (The Origins of the Urban
Crisis). Many were able to find a source of income, yet this lead to an increase of homeless
people. The city compensated by building affordable houses in white neighborhoods for lowincome African Americans (Detroit Riots Tell of Americas History of Racism) Although it was

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a good idea for the black population, the majority (whites) thought otherwise. Over the
succeeding years, brawls and riots broke out as blacks attempted to fight for their equality.
On the evening of July 22 nd, 1976, Detroit Police Vice Squad raided an unlicensed bar
located at the corner of 12th Street and Clairmount Avenue in an area considered as "the city's
oldest and poorest black neighborhood". (Detroit Race Riot) A party was being thrown at the bar
for two black servicemen returning from Vietnam. Due to the fact that the bar was unlicensed,
the police arrested all 82 men. Rumors were going around that the men were being arrested
through police brutality which brought attention to a rattled crowd surrounding the scene. The
riot was spreading rapidly, while simultaneously being talked about over radios and televisions.
(Communications during the Detroit riot) The situation began to escalate quickly as people
began to smash windows and loot from stores. Additional police and firemen were called over to
stop the vicious riot without much success. Eventually, the mayor and government were
informed about the situation and decided to send over more force. They held back shooting
within the first couple hours, but the situation was getting out of control and had no other choice.
(The Detroit Riots). The violent riot finally came to an end after five days and resulted in
significant damage to the city. Approximately $35 million was lost in destruction and store
looting. Additionally, 33 African-Americans and 10 whites were killed. Over 7,200 people got
arrested and 1,189 people were injured. (Detroit Race Riot)
As a result of Rosa Parks and the riots that took place within Detroit, the city decided to
name a street to honor the memory of the deceased civil rights activist. Rosa Parks Blvd is an
example of an Urban Form in Detroit, and can be looked at as a Way of Seeing. While some see
this as any other street, others acknowledge and appreciate the history behind it. An African
American will see it as a reminiscent of their culture and history in the city. However, if a

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random/foreign person encounters the street, they might be skeptical about the site and just think
of it as any road to drive on. When I visited my site, the first thing I proceeded to do was shut my
eyes. I imagined a savage riot taking place right in front of me. My perspective was put in an
African American's position, and was mesmerized imagining my people relentlessly pressing for
what they have been denied, for the rights they are owed. I opened my eyes and was devastated
at the site. It perfectly symbolized what they were fighting for. The area surrounding Rosa Parks
Blvd was in an atrocious state. The blacks were forced to live in an area like the one shown in
the picture. (Judgement Day) No one should have to live in those conditions regardless of their
race. It was not suitable for me, and I am confident it was not suitable for lower-class African
Americans. (Chafic Dahabra)
In conclusion, the Rosa Park Blvd site was the location of the infamous 1967 riot that
contributed to African-American success in racial equality. Prior to WWII, the African American
culture was looked at as inferior, perhaps due to the large amount who were unemployed.
However, as time unfolded, more people became unemployed and began to push their way
towards freedom. Riots became prevalent within the inner city, and lead to a massive downfall in
terms of money and with that took many lives. Although people were killed/injured, a sense of
freedom was gained through Rosa Parks and for her people. Perhaps, a big reason Rosa Parks
Blvd holds a great amount of value.

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Works Cited
Scholarly sources:
Glazer, Nathan (08/03/1967). "THE DETROIT RIOTS". New Society , 10 (253), p. 148.
Levy, Sheldon G (07/01/1971). "COMMUNICATIONS DURING THE DETROIT RIOT".
Journalism quarterly (0196-3031), 48 (2), p. 339.
Sugrue, Thomas J. The Origins of the Urban Crisis: Race and Inequality in Postwar Detroit.
Princeton, NJ: Princeton UP, 1996. Web
Course Reading Source:
Boyle, Kevin. "Arc of Justice: A Saga of Race, Civil Rights, and Murder in the Jazz Age Chapter 10 "Judgment Day" Summary & Analysis." BookRags. BookRags, n.d. Web. 11
Nov. 2016. Ch. 10: Day of Judgement

Primary/Other Sources:
Cosgrove, Ben. "Detroit Burning: Photos From the 12th Street Riot, 1967." Time. Time, 22 July
2012. Web. Nov. 2016.
Dahabra, Chafic. Private Field Notes. Rosa Parks Blvd. 10 Nov 2016
Imagine2050. "Detroit Riots Tell of America's History of Racism - IMAGINE 2050." IMAGINE
2050. N.p., 28 Aug. 2014. Web. 11 Nov. 2016.
Parks, Rosa. "Image 2 of Rosa Parks Papers: Subject File, 1937-2005; Rosa Parks Boulevard,
Detroit, Mich., 1976." The Library of Congress. Web.
Oregonian/OregonLive, Margaret Haberman | The. "If Rosa Parks Way Naming Is an Example,
Time May Heal Wounds on New Chavez Boulevard." OregonLive.com. N.p., 18 July 2009.
Web. 11 Nov. 2016.
Wang, Tabitha. "Detroit Race Riot (1967) | The Black Past: Remembered and Reclaimed."
Detroit Race Riot (1967) | The Black Past: Remembered and Reclaimed. University of
Washington, Seattle, Web. 05 Nov. 2016.

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