Process Paper:
Crispus Attucks High School was created in 1927 as a result of segregation, hatred, and fear. Rather than giving into the tragedy of racial inequality, Attucks High School instead triumphed in bringing both the black and white communities together. Due to its academic and athletic excellence, the school became a point of pride within the city of Indianapolis. Through the years, Attucks became more famous. The school is still open today, and is now known as Crispus Attucks Medical Magnet High School.
I chose this topic because many do not know about Attucks, and I wanted to share the school’s story. After watching the newly released documentary on the history of the school, I was inspired to make a website that focused on the school's achievements. Also, I feel the school's success was a contributing factor leading to equal rights across Indiana. My research began by going to the Crispus Attucks Medical Magnet High School/Museum. While there, I met the Museum Curator, Robert Chester, who walked us through the museum and talked to me about the exhibits. Later, I went inside the school and saw the auditorium, gym, and classrooms. I also met with an Indiana Historical Society Digital Research Assistant who gave me some primary sources such as pictures and documents as well as website URL’s. Crispus Attucks Museum Visit, April Tuason, October 10, 2018
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Crispus Attucks High School, 1928, W. H. Brass Photo Company
A source I used that was most helpful was a book called Attucks, Oscar Robertson and the Basketball Team That Awakened a City. This source was helpful because I learned about the basketball team and their perspective during those harsh times. Also, I learned how much the basketball team really helped spread equal rights across not only Indianapolis, but all of Indiana. Another source I used was Attucks: A School that Opened a City, a documentary created to teach the listener about a school that unified two races. Both of those sources helped me understand the significance of the school’s reputation and the time period before and after segregation.
A challenge that I had was trying to figure out how to create a Weebly website. I had never used Weebly before and neither had my teachers. A source I wanted, but didn't get to use was an interview with Phillip Hoose, writer of Attucks: Oscar Robertson and the Basketball Team that Awakened a City. I emailed him, but unfortunately, I never got a reply. My topic supports the theme Triumph and Tragedy in many ways. One example is that the school was meant to fail, but it triumphed by producing a winning basketball team, top notch scholars who are still known today, and helped bring two segregated communities together. The topic is important today because its legacy continues. Despite suffering through financial challenges, the school has emerged triumphantly as a top Indianapolis Public School.
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