Karen Mays-Terry, an educator born and raised in Austin, remembers Rogers Washington Holy Cross, a historic East Austin neighborhood built by and for black professionals after World War Two. In this interview, Mays-Terry discusses community ties in the past, the historic figures that emerged from Rogers Washington, and present day neighborhood connections.
Interview Highlights
On defining neighborhood
“I see a neighborhood being defined as people that work together, people that actually care about each other. You get to know each other’s families. You grow up together. You know each other on a first name basis. You can knock on the door you visit. You can ask for favors. You babysit. I mean, it’s just a continuation of family. Professionally and as a family.”
The neighborhood of Rogers Washington
“This is such a special neighborhood of people that have a lot of wisdom, a lot of care, a lot of love. It was just a double dose of everything. It was either a double dose of correction, it was a double dose of love, care and concern. When my daughter was catching the bus, going to school, I never worried about anything because there was always somebody on the porch that was able to say, ‘hey, you’re on your way home, or at least call me.’”
Gentrification and remembrance
“One of the things that I have been a part of is the historic designation of this neighborhood. A lot of influential people, community servants have come out of this neighborhood. And gentrification is driving us out at a rapid rate.And the history of African-Americans in Austin is rapidly disappearing. And it’s very important to remember and be remembered for different contributions that have been made to the city by people of color. Neighborhoods change. I am glad for and accept the diversity that’s coming to the neighborhood, it’s important the starting of a new history. But it’s also important that the history that was already established not be forgotten.”
New neighborhood connections
“Our neighbors now that we’ve gotten to know are wonderful because a lot of the same traditions have continued. We still have the neighborhood round up and everything. People have joined the Rogers Washington Neighborhood Association, so we still have that connection.And again, we met new wonderful people that are not only making new neighborhood memories, but also it’s important to them to maintain and let everyone know about the history that was already established. And that’s a good feeling because times change, situations change. But the history is still there.”