In Macon, racial reconciliation happens one park at a time.
Chosen as one of 880 Cities’ “Emerging Cities Champions,” Steven DeGeorge is described as “a husband, a dad, a social worker, and a member of Macon’s mildest moped gang.” He’s also a grass roots leader working on racial healing and reconciliation in Macon, Georgia with his organization Field of Hope. And that’s why he’s our Patron of the City for this month.
Field of Hope is attempting to rewrite a story of racism associated to a piece of land on the border of historically white and black neighborhoods. About 6 years ago he and his friends bought a piece of land from the city of Macon. In 1940 it was given to the city in a man’s will with the stipulation that the land had to be used a park for whites only. Even in those days this land was located in a historic African American neighborhood. The field was abandoned and went unused for 80 years. Steve adds, “This story inspired us to reverse the curse of racism in this place. Our plan is to create a beautiful park for all. It will stand as a symbol of unity, a prophetic act for the common good that we hope will help our community heal.”
I recently sat down with Steven to understand more of the story and how his group hope to impact a generations-deep issue like racial divide in the South.
Q. Can you tell us about your community and why this work is needed?
“Pleasant Hill has an amazing history. Founded in 1877, it is unique in that it is the first African American neighborhood on the national historic register. Its hall of fame includes Jefferson Long, former slave and the second African American to be elected into the US House of Representatives. Its most known for its role as a music hotbed. Little Richard, James Brown, Otis Redding, and even Ray Charles either grew up in or spent significant time in Pleasant Hill during its musical heyday. A drive through today however, reveals a desperate present situation. Poverty, drug trade, and blight are the challenges of today. 50% of the houses are now abandoned and the community’s median income is $18,333 according to most recent Census tract data. Although we have real barriers that must be dealt with the elders of the community help us remember a different time and inspire us to work towards change.”
Q. How do you feel different communities can connect and learn from one another?
“My community, like others, has lines. Lines that some people won’t cross; lines that divide; lines that don’t change. A stark line between rich and poor and black and white was drawn about 150 years ago in Macon and it still exists in my community. Every day I when I walk across it, I try to think about how to make that stark line blurry. Without intentional steps, I’m afraid that we will be divided for 150 years to come. For the communities on either side of the line to come together in harmony, healing has to take place. Bitterness, suspicion, prejudice, and pain don’t just go away. They must be dealt with.”
Q. How can communities evolve and grow over time being sensitive to all its residents?
“The work of the Field of Hope represents a potentially controversial stance when you think about how it might affect this community over time. With a clear purpose of racial reconciliation, the end goal would lead us into a place that it has never been; a place where white and black people coexist as neighbors and friends; a place without dividing lines. Will the elders on both sides of the historic divide be content as racial identities fade into gray? How do we retain cultural heritage while embracing sincere reconciliation with others? These are the questions that this work stirs up. However important, these are delicate paths to tread.”
Q. If someone wanted to become more involved your community, what advice would you give them?
“Jump in with us. Good stories have always drawn good people in. We need everyday heroes to help finish the work we’ve begun. Come with ears to listen and a heart for authentic relationship.”
Q. In your opinion, what are some of the core elements in a successful and thriving community?
“I think a thriving community has excited young people, respected and involved elders, and beautiful places to be together. Negative forces must leave and positive forces must stay.”
Q. What could other cities learn from the community in your area?
“As we move toward reconciliation, I hope that other places will be inspired by our story. It takes work but reversing the curse of racism is possible. I wonder if the new unified community that we create will help others move in the same direction. I am sure that we will learn hard lessons along the way. I hope that we will be able to guide others to the good that we find.”
Q. In what ways will/did your project change its surrounding community?
“The coolest thing that our project has created is that it mobilized community activists and programs to connect to our work. In the last few years 2 churches have renovated 12 houses adjacent to the land on the northern border. Habitat for Humanity has now committed to building houses along the southern border of the land. Our local State Representative has leveraged funds through the Community Enhancement Authority (CEA) to employ community members in an apprentice construction program. Men in the community will be taught to build new homes in empty lots and paid at a living wage. With all of the synergy created by the aforementioned community groups surrounding the Field of Hope, the CEA has been attracted to our part of the neighborhood and has already built 7 new homes on the eastern and southern ends of the park. It’s really unbelievable. We are finding ourselves in the middle of a movement. We hope to be the exclamation point at the end of a community revitalization project that might change our neighborhood forever.”
Q. What placemaking trends do you see taking shape in the next 1–3 years?
“Macon is investing in its urban core. I hope that as we stabilize the heart of our city, the work will then expand. We are already seeing signs of this. Some non-profits like the Fuller Center for housing, have seen the work done in Pleasant Hill and have decided to invest in adjacent communities. Its neat to see positive change trending!”
