An exhibit on the Rosewood massacre opens a week of art and cultural events for the Tampa Bay Black Heritage Festival.
By DENISE WATSON BATTS
Published January 9, 2004
[Florida Photographic Collection]
Whites burned nearly every building in the black community of Rosewood in 1923 in a weeklong rampage. Most residents fled to the swamps and later escaped by train to Archer and Gainesville.
TAMPA - The Tampa Bay Black Heritage Festival opens Monday on a solemn note: an exhibit of the 1923 massacre of Rosewood, southwest of Gainesville.
The exhibit, which will be held at the Ybor City campus of Hillsborough Community College, is central to a week of art and cultural events that culminate the weekend of Jan. 17-18.
Highlighting histories, such as Rosewood's, was the catalyst for the festival, which began four years ago.
Organizers felt a void after several black events and venues left the area, such as the annual Florida Classic between Florida A&M and Bethune-Cookman College, the Museum of African American Art and the Mailou Arts Festival.
"If we talk about Tampa and its history and various groups in the community, most of it is showcased with the exception of African-American art, history and culture," said Ken Anthony, president of the festival committee.
The event has grown from a weekend and 1,000 visitors to a week of activities and an expected crowd of about 10,000.
The Rosewood exhibit is an important component. Organizers hope this will be the first of other traveling displays the festival sponsors as a way to keep African-American history in the public eye.
The Rosewood exhibit was created six years ago for the 75th anniversary of the tragedy. Funded by the Florida Humanities Council and housed in Gainesville, it will be at HCC until Jan. 24.
The massacre began New Year's morning 1923 when a white woman accused a black man of assault. Word spread and a mob from a neighboring white community attacked Rosewood and its 120 residents, burning nearly every building in a weeklong rampage. Most residents fled to the swamps and later escaped by train to Archer and Gainesville.
History accounts vary in the number of deaths. Some reports say as few as six blacks and two whites died. Some descendants have spoken of mass graves.
In 1994, the Florida Legislature approved a bill giving the survivors and descendants a total of $2.1-million.
The exhibit includes maps, charts and details of life in Rosewood and the legislative process seeking compensation. Some of the few items recovered, a large quilt, children's clothing and some household items, will be on display.
As part of the Tampa Bay festival, the 1997 movie Rosewood will be featured at the Tampa Theatre at 7 p.m. Tuesday. Prior to the showing, an actor and one of the descendants of a Rosewood survivor are scheduled to host a discussion with the audience.
The festival includes various events throughout the city, with many scheduled for the University of South Florida campus.
Author and screenwriter Antwone Fisher will be a guest speaker at USF Thursday. His memoir Finding Fish is a New York Times bestseller and the basis for the 2002 movie Antwone Fisher.
The college will also host a luncheon Wednesday with civil rights activist the Rev. Samuel Billy Kyles. Kyles worked closely with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and was with him when King was killed.
Next weekend's festivities include a street festival with food, vendors, music and displays about children's health, art and culture. Entertainment on Jan. 17 features a drum line exhibit of high school bands and a performance by recording group ZAPP, known for its funk sound and signature More Bounce to the Ounce. Music continues Jan. 18 with local entertainers and national artist Miki Howard in the afternoon.
New to the festival this year is the Employment Village, designed to connect businesses with possible hires. SunTrust, the Tampa Bay Workforce Alliance and the city of Tampa are some of the employers who have signed up, said Teddy Pierre, vice president of the festival committee.
Pierre said the board nixed the job fair in the past because it didn't fit into the theme of culture and art.
"But with the state of the economy a lot of people are still out of work," he said. "This would be a good way to start the year. For companies as well, this is a great way to target an audience."
Most of the events are free, and organizers are still looking for volunteers.
Monday to Jan. 24 - Traveling exhibit of the Rosewood massacre, "Rosewood . . . the Beginning That Never Ends," on view in the Ybor Room of Hillsborough Community College's Ybor campus, 2001 14th St. School groups welcome. Call 253-7018.
Tuesday - The movie Rosewood at the Tampa Theatre, 711 Franklin St., at 7 p.m. Janie Bradley-Black, descendent of a Rosewood survivor, is scheduled to host a prescreening discussion at 6:30 p.m. Tickets cost $4. Call 274-8982.
Wednesday - Poetry Slam contest at Fuchsia Restaurant & Lounge, 102 S Tampa St. Contest begins at 8 p.m. Admission is $5. Finals to be held on Jan. 16 at the same location. Call 221-4921.
Thursday - Guest speaker Antwone Fisher at the University of South Florida Special Events Center, 4202 E Fowler Ave. at 6:30 p.m. Call 974-3222.
Jan. 17 - Street festival with music, food and exhibits about children's health, jobs, culture and art from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Collins Corner section of USF campus, corner of Pine Drive and Spectrum Boulevard. ZAPP performs at 3:15 p.m.
Jan. 18 - Street festival continues from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. National entertainer Miki Howard performs at 3:30 p.m.
