Off-Campus Case Studies: Physical Space

In addition to the Good Neighbor Council's lofty social and cultural recommendations, the GNC tackled civil disputes in the surrounding community. Inevitably, these disputes centered on physical space.

Private property reflects and reinforces social and cultural structures, because it is implicitly exclusive. One gains power through property by resticting others' access and mobility. Conversely, one might challenge authority by occupying contested space. Spatial disputes are simple expressions of exerting or questioning power. 

Even though NC State University admitted black students in the 1950s, most of the surrounding neighborhoods and streets were strictly segregated well into the 1960s. Landlords exerted their power by refusing to house black students and faculty as well as black sympathizers. Neighborhood business owners reserved the right to withhold service from black customers. In turn, black citizens demanded the right to occupy and enjoy both public and private space. This section investigates concepts of race through three physical spaces: the restaurant, the social club, and the residence.