Week 6: The University and Cambridge Cultural Issues
Final Project Proposals
1. Reexamining Commemoration: The Legacy of Controversial Figures at Harvard University
Overview: This project would delve into the historical figures honored at Harvard University who have problematic aspects to their legacies, such as involvement in slavery, colonialism, or other injustices. The focus would be on examining epitaphs, monuments, and building names that celebrate these individuals. The project could take the form of a series of op-eds or blog posts that critically assess these commemorations and propose thoughtful approaches to addressing them.
What I Hope to Find Out:
Historical Context: Research the lives and actions of these honored figures to understand the full scope of their contributions and transgressions.
Current Commemorations: Identify how these figures are currently honored on campus and the messages these commemorations convey.
Possible Remedies: Investigate how other institutions have addressed similar issues, considering options like contextualization plaques, renaming buildings, or creating spaces for dialogue.
Ethical Implications: Reflect on the responsibility of academic institutions in acknowledging and rectifying historical injustices.
2. Voices Unheard: A Creative Narrative of Massachusett Life During Forced Removal
Overview: This project would be a short story or a series of creative pieces written from the perspective of a member of the Massachusett tribe during the period of forced removal and assimilation. The narrative would aim to humanize historical events, shedding light on the personal experiences, emotions, and resilience of indigenous people faced with displacement and cultural erosion.
What I Hope to Find Out:
Cultural Practices: Gain an in-depth understanding of Massachusett traditions, beliefs, and daily life before and during the removal.
Historical Events: Research the specific policies, events, and interactions with English settlers that led to their displacement.
Personal Accounts: Utilize diaries, oral histories, and anthropological studies to inform authentic character development.
Emotional Landscape: Explore the psychological impact of removal on individuals and communities, including themes of identity, loss, and resistance.
3. Unveiling Hidden Histories: Brattle Street, Harvard, and the Cambridge Slave Trade
Overview: This project would investigate the historical involvement of Brattle Street and Harvard University in the Cambridge slave trade. By examining architectural landmarks, historical documents, and economic records, the paper would uncover how slavery was interwoven into the social and economic fabric of Cambridge and how its legacy persists in the city's landscape.
What I Hope to Find Out:
Economic Ties: Explore how the wealth generated from the slave trade contributed to the development of Brattle Street and Harvard University.
Architectural Significance: Identify buildings and sites associated with slavery, including homes of slave owners and facilities built by enslaved people.
Harvard's Role: Investigate the university's direct and indirect involvement in slavery, including investments, benefactors, and the utilization of enslaved labor.
Narratives of the Enslaved: Seek out records or accounts that provide insight into the lives of enslaved individuals in Cambridge.
Recommendations: Propose ways to bring this hidden history to light, such as informational plaques, tours, or integration into educational curricula.
These topics all aim to confront complex and sometimes uncomfortable aspects of Cambridge's history, with a focus on uncovering truths and fostering understanding. Each project would not only delve into historical research but also consider the implications for present-day Cambridge, including how the city and its institutions can address past injustices and move toward a more inclusive future.
In undertaking any of these projects, I hope to contribute to a broader conversation about memory, accountability, and the ways in which history informs our current social and cultural landscape. Through critical analysis and creative expression, the goal is to engage others in reflecting on the past and imagining paths toward reconciliation and equity.
Cambridge is renowned for its high rate of bicycle commuting; about 9% of residents cycle to work, significantly higher than the national average of less than 1% (U.S. Census Bureau, 2019). However, with this impressive cycling culture comes increased risk. In 2019, there were over 90 reported accidents involving cyclists and motor vehicles in Cambridge (Cambridge Police Department, 2020). Most of these incidents occur at busy intersections and major roads lacking adequate cycling infrastructure, highlighting a serious safety concern that undermines the city's sustainability goals.
Our city's streets were primarily designed with cars in mind, which doesn't align well with the growing number of cyclists. This mismatch not only endangers current riders but might also discourage others from choosing to bike, counteracting efforts to promote eco-friendly commuting. The persistence of bicycle accidents indicates that we need to rethink our urban spaces to better accommodate cyclists.
To address this challenge, I propose the creation of Cycling Priority Zones in key areas of Cambridge. These zones would prioritize bicycle traffic through infrastructural changes, policy adjustments, and community engagement initiatives. The main components of the CPZs include:
Dedicated Bike Corridors: Expanding the network of protected bike lanes with physical barriers separating cyclists from vehicular traffic and implementing contraflow lanes on one-way streets to provide more direct routes (National Association of City Transportation Officials, 2014).
Traffic Calming Measures: Lowering speed limits to 20 mph within CPZs and introducing speed bumps, raised crosswalks, and curb extensions to slow down vehicular traffic (Elvik, 2001).
Smart Intersection Design: Installing bike boxes at intersections and traffic signals that give cyclists a head start before vehicles proceed, reducing conflicts with turning vehicles (National Cooperative Highway Research Program, 2014).
Enhanced Signage and Visibility: Using bright colors and clear symbols on road surfaces to delineate bicycle spaces and installing wayfinding signs to guide cyclists through preferred routes.
Community Programs and Education: Launching safety campaigns and partnering with local schools to educate both cyclists and drivers about sharing the road safely.
Technological Innovations: Deploying sensor-activated lighting for better visibility during low-light conditions and using data collection tools to monitor cycling patterns and inform future infrastructure improvements.
Implementing CPZs offers numerous benefits. By prioritizing cyclists, we enhance safety and encourage more residents to choose biking, supporting public health and environmental objectives. Protected bike lanes have been shown to significantly reduce accidents, providing dedicated spaces that minimize interactions with motor vehicles (Teschke et al., 2012). Traffic calming measures not only decrease the likelihood of collisions but also improve the overall quality of urban life by creating quieter and more pedestrian-friendly streets.
Community involvement is crucial for the success of CPZs. Educational initiatives can foster mutual respect among road users, and involving residents in the planning process ensures that the zones meet the community's needs. Technological enhancements further bolster safety measures and provide valuable data for continuous improvement.
Thus, addressing bicycle accidents in Cambridge requires a fresh approach that reimagines urban planning to prioritize cyclist safety. Establishing Cycling Priority Zones represents a creative and practical solution that aligns with our city's commitment to sustainability. Through infrastructural changes, policy adjustments, and community involvement, we can significantly reduce bicycle accidents and promote a safer, more inclusive environment for all.
Bibliography
Cambridge Police Department. 2019 Annual Crime Report. Cambridge Police Department, 2020.
Elvik, Rune. "Area-wide Urban Traffic Calming Schemes: A Meta-analysis of Safety Effects." Accident
Analysis & Prevention, vol. 33, no. 3, 2001, pp. 327–336.
National Association of City Transportation Officials. Urban Bikeway Design Guide. NACTO, 2014.
National Cooperative Highway Research Program. NCHRP Report 766: Recommended Bicycle Lane
Widths for Various Roadway Characteristics. Transportation Research Board, 2014.
Teschke, Kay, et al. "Route Infrastructure and the Risk of Injuries to Bicyclists: A Case-Crossover Study."
American Journal of Public Health, vol. 102, no. 12, 2012, pp. 2336–2343.
U.S. Census Bureau. American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates. 2019.
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