PROSPERITY, DEPRESSION, AND NEW DEAL, 1919-1941

suburbanization
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Automobiles and Early Suburbanization Discussion Questions

What were the effects of advances in transportation technology on neighborhoods east of downtown?

Explain the relationship between the automobile and changes in Olde Towne East. How did the automobile contribute to early suburbanization? How did the changes in Olde Towne East reflect the economic boom of the Roaring 20s? How did the appearance of Olde Towne East change as a result of the movement in and out of the area?

What were some of the possible costs and benefits that someone like E.T. Paul may have considered when deciding if he should change his trade from blacksmithing to specializing in tires?
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african-american communities
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A Vibrant African-American Community Emerges Discussion Questions

What factors led to the growth and evolution of the King-Lincoln neighborhood as a
predominately African-American community by the mid-20th century? Which of these factors were the result of choices made by individuals, businesses, or
government and which were the result of cultural biases and stereotypes?

​Did individuals make the community a better place by solving issues for the common good? Or did individuals only react to circumstances of the times?

​How have the legacies of the past affected the present neighborhood?
King-Lincoln Churches and Schools Discussion Questions

How does tradition happen? Where do traditions come from? How did both the churches and the schools of King-Lincoln reflect keeping traditions and heritage alive?

How did individuals and organizations work for social justice in the 1800s? Though
individuals and institutions worked for justice in the Civil Rights years (1960s-1980s), why does there seem to be an acceptance of segregation in the earlier 20th century? 
East High Traditions Discussion Questions
In 1961, Dr. Watson Walker became the first African American in the 20th century to be elected to the Columbus school board (Reverend Poindexter had been the first in 19th century.) Walker believed other members of the board routinely neglected talking about the obvious—black schools. Walker told the story of how he won lights for the football field at East.
  • “I know this was one of the things the black community was incensed about. They had been working on it for years and had been rebuffed at every turn. The only reason (white board members) didn’t want lights for East was the white schools would prefer to play East at daytime because they figured if they came out in the East end and at nighttime they were going to get beat up. These were prevalent racial attitudes that had to be erased. …I asked the question, ‘How many schools with football fields do you have that are not lighted?’ Everything got quiet. Of course, I was playing the part of not knowing that I was asking a racially-loaded question. They finally said, ‘One,’ and I said, ‘Which one?’ And everybody got quiet again. The attitude they had was, ‘Is he crazy? Does he know the answer to this or is he pulling our leg?’ And I had this angelic face and they couldn’t tell what was going on. They finally said, ‘East High.’”
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Discuss Dr. Walker’s approach to confronting the issue. What were the advantages to his approach? How could a decision to give East High lights help to advance the traditions of the school? 

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A Legacy of Music Discussion Questions

How did gradual integration of musical venues contribute to changes in musical styles and instrumentation? How might segregation influence, enhance, or detract from the potential of artists and musicians?
A Cradle for Artists Discussion Questions

How did the works of Elijah Pierce, Aminah Robinson, and Kojo Kamau help us to better understand the political, economic, and social conditions at various periods of 20th century American history?

How important was mentorship in the creation of artistic legacies? How can governments or institutions play a role in the legacy of the arts?