race and space on central campus
By Helen Yu
Decades after integration, Duke’s campus remained self-segregated. Students perceived Central Campus as “predominantly black.”[1] The 1993 undergraduate Student Government president, Hardy Vieux, noted that “the majority of [his] African-American peers move(d) to Central Campus” because they felt unwelcome elsewhere.[2] One reason was that most Interfraternity Council organizations, composed predominantly of white students, had housing on West Campus.[3] Central Campus was also cheaper, meaning that poorer students moved there.[4] Especially since Central Campus is about to be demolished and rebuilt, planners should include sites that encourage conversation and connection, remembering the past while also building in ways to unite students across race and class.
[1]. Young, Jennifer, “Student Discuss Discomfort in Race Relations Forum,” Duke Chronicle, 1995.
[2]. Corey, Mike, “West-Central Shuffle.” Duke Chronicle, 2004.
[3]. Brackets in original Chronicle story. Corey, Mike, “West-Central Shuffle.” Duke Chronicle, 2004.
[4]. Collins, Andrew, “A New Inequity on Central,” Duke Chronicle, 2004.
[2]. Corey, Mike, “West-Central Shuffle.” Duke Chronicle, 2004.
[3]. Brackets in original Chronicle story. Corey, Mike, “West-Central Shuffle.” Duke Chronicle, 2004.
[4]. Collins, Andrew, “A New Inequity on Central,” Duke Chronicle, 2004.
