William Vollin recalls the games he enjoyed during his childhood, such as hide and seek and ball games. Despite growing up in poverty, Vollin never felt deprived because his grandmother, who worked as a maid, always ensured their basic needs were met. Now, at 92 years old, Vollin fondly remembers Queen City, a historically Black neighborhood in Arlington, Virginia, that was demolished to make way for the Pentagon during World War II. However, he finds solace in a new public artwork that pays tribute to Queen City’s legacy.
The artwork, called Queen City and created by artist Nekisha Durrett, is a magnificent 35-ft tall brick tower located in Metropolitan Park, Arlington. It stands as a symbol of the vibrant community that once existed there. Durrett commissioned 17 Black ceramists to craft 903 ceramic teardrop vessels, each representing one of the individuals from Queen City who were displaced without much notice.
Queen City thrived for four decades before its destruction. Despite the lack of amenities like electricity and running water, the neighborhood was characterized by a strong sense of community. Vollin emphasizes the closeness shared among its residents, who supported and cared for one another in times of need. The demolition devastated the tightly knit community.
Vollin vividly recalls the moment he learned that his home would be taken away in 1941. The notice gave them little time to process the news, and they found themselves homeless. For several years, they lived in trailer camps, moving from one to another in unsanitary conditions. Despite the challenges, Vollin never missed a day of school and used the obstacles he faced as stepping stones to achieve success as an educator.
The decision to seize the land for the Pentagon, using eminent domain, still angers Vollin to this day. He believes that eminent domain should be used to benefit communities, not destroy them. The demolition of Queen City resulted in the loss of churches, a fire department, and businesses, which Vollin considers an atrocity. He firmly states that anytime people’s hopes, dreams, and aspirations are destroyed, it is an injustice.
The construction of the Pentagon began on September 11, 1941, and was completed just 16 months later. Vollin reflects on the irony of tearing down a community to build a war department. The Pentagon, originally intended to be repurposed after the war, became a permanent symbol of American military power. Vollin has no desire to visit the Pentagon and believes it could have been built elsewhere.
Durrett, the artist behind Queen City, was deeply moved by the story of a Black community displaced by the military industrial complex. Her goal is to uncover lesser-known Black histories and shed light on the injustices committed against these communities. She emphasizes that eminent domain allowed the government to wipe out Queen City without providing just compensation to its residents.
Through her monumental sculpture, Durrett aims to honor the people of Queen City who, despite their lack of material wealth, had a rich community spirit. The artwork symbolizes the neglect and divestment in the community, highlighting the lack of basic amenities like water, sewage, and paved roads. However, it also celebrates the resilience and beauty that emerged from Queen City.
Durrett collaborated with consultants, engineers, and 17 Black ceramists across the country to bring her vision to life. Each ceramist shared stories of similar communities destroyed by eminent domain, showcasing the widespread impact of such actions. Durrett hopes that her artwork sparks awareness and action, making people realize that history, including Black history, surrounds us all.
The completed sculpture stands as a powerful and everlasting testament to the forgotten past of Queen City. It serves as a reservoir of public memory, reminding us of the injustices suffered by this community. Durrett intentionally chose to work on a large scale to make the sculpture impossible to ignore. The use of reclaimed bricks pays homage to the area’s brickyards and the labor provided by many Black workers.
Durrett’s ultimate goal is for people to recognize and act upon the history that surrounds them, particularly the histories of marginalized communities. Her artwork serves as a catalyst for change and a visual representation of the strength and resilience found within these communities.
Denial of responsibility! VigourTimes is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
