Owen J. Dwyer is an associate professor of geography at Indiana University at Indianapolis. Derek H. Alderman is an associate professor of geography at East Carolina University. Their articles and essays on civil rights memorials have appeared in numerous books as well as in "Professional Geographer," "Social and Cultural Geography," "Southeastern Geographer," and "Urban Geography."
This book explores the social, economic, and political factors that
shed light on the spatial distribution of the monuments associated
with the Civil Rights Movement, as well as their designs and
meanings in the landscape. The authors argue that these memorials
reflect a major shift in the symbolic landscapes of the U.S.
because they successfully challenge the previously dominant 'white'
inscription of history. The authors also note that many conflicts
of meaning and memory remain unresolved. This is a very strong work
that is well-organized and readable.--Kenneth E. Foote "Shadowed
Ground: America's Landscapes of Violence and Tragedy"
This is an important book that provides a significant and original
contribution to the literature on the American landscape and the
geography of American memory in particular. The book draws
attention to a variety of commemorative features and locates their
meaning in the social and political contexts of their creation. In
addition, the book offers important insights about the evolution
and design of the Civil Rights legacy and African-American
heritage. Well-written and well-argued, the book is both accessible
and compelling.--Maoz Azaryahu "Tel Aviv: Mythology of a City"
In this concise and cogently written book, Dwyer and Alderman offer
a useful introduction to many of the questions central to the study
of memorials and historical memory. . . . Civil Rights Memorials
also offers fascinating portraits of the many interests at stake in
building memorials, from white politicians and businessmen who
believe a new civil rights museum will remake their city's image
and bring in tourist dollars, to long-committed black activists, or
"memorial entrepreneurs," who desperately want to keep the past
alive in order to offer lessons for today. . . . The authors offer
an engaging introduction to the field of memorial studies, and it
would make an excellent teaching text.--Alabama Review
Recommended for historians of the South interested in collective
memory--Journal of Southern History
The book takes a thoughtful approach to all the questions it
examines, including tensions, in the planning of memorials, over
whether the work and sacrifice of those who stood with King has
been overshadowed by King himself.--Los Angeles Times
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