African American Experiences in the Historic Dunbar Neighborhood in San Marcos, Texas: A Case Study of Counter-Life Stories

Shetay Ashford-Hanserd, Eric Sarmiento, Colleen C. Myles, Steven W. Rayburn, Aimee Kendall Roundtree, Mary-Patricia Hayton, Edward Ybarra, Sarai Benitez, Theresa M. Clifford, Christopher Pierce, Chad D. Williams and Shadi Maleki
Additional contact information
Shetay Ashford-Hanserd: Department of Organization, Workforce, and Leadership Studies, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX 78666, USA
Eric Sarmiento: Department of Geography, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX 78666, USA
Colleen C. Myles: Department of Geography, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX 78666, USA
Steven W. Rayburn: Department of Marketing, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX 78666, USA
Aimee Kendall Roundtree: Department of English, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX 78666, USA
Mary-Patricia Hayton: Department of English, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX 78666, USA
Edward Ybarra: Department of International Studies, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX 78666, USA
Sarai Benitez: Department of Legal Studies, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX 78666, USA
Theresa M. Clifford: Department of Geography, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX 78666, USA
Christopher Pierce: Department of Geography, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX 78666, USA
Chad D. Williams: Department of Geography, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX 78666, USA
Shadi Maleki: Department of Geography, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX 78666, USA

Social Sciences, 2020, vol. 9, issue 10, 1-26

Abstract: The purpose of this participatory research project is to examine the lived experiences (counter-life stories) of current and former Dunbar residents and congregants of Dunbar churches to demonstrate how local stories counter the dominant perspective about the experiences of American Americans in the Dunbar community. Once a thriving community at the center of civil rights activities in Hays County, Texas, the neighborhood has evolved in many ways in the past several decades, contrary to popular belief. This case study employs counter-life story methodology to uncover the hidden truths about Dunbar residents and congregants’ experiences to generate new knowledge about the experiences of African Americans in San Marcos, Texas, and Hays County. Thematic analysis of unfiltered commentary from Dunbar community members revealed three emergent themes: history of racism and slavery, impact of environmental and social racism, and rebuilding and restoring the community. Individual and shared strengths make the community unique and resilient. In-migration of new community members has been outpaced by outmigration. Finally, issues of taxation, representation, and the ongoing deterioration of neighborhood infrastructure are forefront in community members’ minds. In sum, the bedrock of personal and community values and hard work has not changed, but external forces continue to affect the community and compel it to pivot and make plans for change. Personal and communal strengths make the community unique and resilient. Future work will enlist geographic data and methods to help further investigate changes over time.

Keywords: African American experiences; case study; counter-life stories; Hays county; San Marcos; Texas; social history (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: A B N P Y80 Z00 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
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