Contemporary History of Roxbury

Roxbury is a historically rich architectual community in Boston. It has recently become diversified and it remains " the Heart of Black Culture in Boston." Roxbury is one of the first towns founded in Massachusetts Bay in 1630. In today's time Roxbury has many historical places that have been rebuilt and restored throughout the city.

John Eliot square was a strategic meeting point for soldiers during the Revolutionary War because its elevated Highland over Downtown Boston.

John Elliot was the most famous pastor of the First Church of Roxbury and was able to integrate Algonquin Indians to become full members of the Church.

First Church of Roxbury was buit in 1632 and was the first meetinghouse for soldiers in 1804 is the focal point of the neighborhood.

First Hotel of Roxbury that was crucial point desegregating Roxbury. Now it houses condominium and offices including the fairly new member of the complex African Community Economic Development of New England (ACEDONE).

In the bottom left corner of building resides a parting stone from the 1800s. This monument was a form of locational recognition. Now it remins hidden and unnoticed under a Foreign Car Auto Shop, despite being significant two centuries ago.

This is New Edition to the Roxbury community, Islamic Society of Boston Cultural Center, served as a new attraction to the people of Roxbury, has strengthened community ties, and has brought much diversity to the area.

- By Kaynan Yassin, Sagal Yassin, Endkle Getachew, Mohamud Hussein, and Nasir Abdullahi

A time to unite with peace

        The meaning of peace is to communicate with other  people with out any kind of violence  or other problems. These pictures below shows us how peace works in a variety ways and helps to discourage violence. One way to keep peace is by keeping social justice. 

Photographing Shakeem's Rest in Peace pin he wears to remeber his friend that was taken by violence in Boston.

Spread the love, Antonio (black) and Gio (white) converse about the violence in Boston that has taken the lives of young. Gio, 17 years of age, explains it has to stop because it stems from foolishness.

In support of Trayvon Martin black hoodies are worn by high school students in Boston. Trayvon Martin's death is an example of the disese we call violence in America. We need PEACE!

 Gio, 17 years old from Boston, feels that violence should cease ASAP in the streets in Boston and beyond. Gio was close friends of middle school student Taewon Martin who was shot and killed in Boston 2010.

Why so common? Shakeem wears a pin to remeber his friend middle school student Jaewon Martian who was killed in a Roxbury commuinty in Boston where the death amongst youth increases yearly.

created by: Antonio Stroud, Betsegaw Gillo,  Yabetse Gillo and Sahro Muse

The Men of Roxbury

        In every strong community positive male role models are necessary for the community to strive, but in Roxbury men are often depicted with negative stereotypes. This photo-essay specifically targets males in this community because they historically have had a great influence in their neighborhoods. Men in under-privileged communities are often stereotyped, looked down on and faced with prejudice from on-lookers. This photo-essay sheds light on an alternative view of men in the community and challenges traditional stereotypes.   

   Photo by: Ruth Densamo      

We met 16 year old Marcus standing near John Eliot Square saying he wants to be viewed as equal. "I don't want to be higher or lower than anyone, but equal."

Photo by: Misgana Alemu

At first glance these young men, parked at Jeep Jones Park, could be seen as threats, but since their arrival they have just been socializing.

Photo by: Ruth Densamo

The boy on the right, Shakeem, stands with Peace in Focus training member, Antonio, in front of Juba Market & Cafe.  He carries a pin with a picture of his brother, Jauwan Martin who was lost to gun violence on Heath Street.

 Photo by: Ruth Densamo

In this picture, you see an older male spending time with a younger male in Jeep Jones Park. The importance of an older and younger male relationship is emphasized.

 Photo by: Selam Dejene

This hand belongs to Emmanuel Alemu. This picture, taken in Jeep Jones Park,  is a positive example that symbolizes the peace that the men in this community strive for.

 Photo by: Misgana Alemu

Peace in Focus is the non-profit organization that funded the photography class that enabled the students to take the above pictures. 

Created by:

Selam Dejene, Naima Abdullahi, Ruth Densamo, Hawa Yassin and Misgana Alemu