Dissertations and Theses @ UNI
Availability
Open Access Thesis
Keywords
Crocker Street YMCA (Des Moines, Iowa); African Americans--Iowa--Des Moines--History; African Americans--Historiography; Academic theses;
Abstract
It is fascinating how African Americans though enslaved and faced with oppression and discrimination were able to prevail over and even thrive in spite of their circumstances. This success has much to do with the previous generation helping the next to be and do better. How the previous generation helped the next is the central question asked when exploring African American achievement. However, much of African American historiography has focused on notable people and events, with little attention being paid to every day African Americans whose stories are equally important and revealing in understanding African Americans as a people. The purpose of this exhibit is to explore the impact of the Crocker Street YMCA on the Des Moines community by looking not only at the leaders, but also the everyday man involved. This study answers the following questions. First, what is the history of the YMCA and its connection to African Americans in the United States, specifically Des Moines. Second, what were the origins of the Crocker Street YMCA and who were the central people involved throughout its existence. Finally, how did the Crocker Street YMCA become a place that influenced boys and created men and who were these men.
Year of Submission
2012
Degree Name
Master of Arts
Department
Department of History
First Advisor
Joanne A. Goldman
Second Advisor
Robert F. Martin
Third Advisor
Emily A. Machen
Date Original
2012
Object Description
1 PDF file (46 leaves)
Copyright
©2012 Michael P. Kates
Language
en
File Format
application/pdf
Recommended Citation
Kates, Michael P., "The Crocker Street YMCA: A Legacy of Leaders" (2012). Dissertations and Theses @ UNI. 2975.
https://scholarworks.uni.edu/etd/2975
Comments
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