The Highwaymen Analysis

When discussing the history of Rondo women are often not included in the discussion. Likewise, when discussing present day Rondo businesses that were lost are not discussed. In the “The Highwaymen”, performed by the History Theater, no women were portrayed, and no resolution is made for the loss of Timothy Howard’s barber shop. Women play an instrumental role in the history of any society, but in the context of Rondo their roles in the community are missing from the narrative. Females represent the heart of many communities and by denying their stories an entire section of Rondo history is lost. The destruction of Rondo Avenue by I-94 was detrimental to the business district in Rondo. These were stores where parents did their shopping, where
Evelyn Fairbanks explains a couple methods that were implemented in Rondo while she was growing up to increase the visibility of women within the community. In her book The Days of Rondo, Fairbanks identifies acts by community members to give girls in the neighborhood greater resources, such as the Taylor’s. Mr. and Mrs. Taylor comprised a group of young girls in the community and taught them how to play a variety of musical instruments. Then brought the group around to play for different groups of people. This musical group allowed Evelyn and the other girls the chance to gain new skills and interact with their community in a setting that wasn’t previously available to them. Additionally, Fairbanks acknowledges the different programs that were offered at the Hallie Q. Brown for girls in the community, such as dances, letter writing, and a plethora of clubs. Barbra “Petey” Vassar Gray remembers going to the “Doll Club” at the Hallie Q. where she learned skills in areas of music, poetry, and other things that were important for girls to know, and were not available in other places. Having these opportunities allowed the women of Rondo valuable skills, that set them apart from their male peers and gave validity to their experiences in the
Before the installation I-94 Rondo Avenue was the business district of the community. It featured grocery store, dentist offices, and more. However, I-94 destroyed it all. In African Americans in Minnesota Taylor recognizes the importance of small business by identifying Chubby’s Barber Shop as a place where generations can come together in a safe communal space. He also includes Penumbra Theatre as a space that allows African Americans in Rondo to see themselves as becoming something more. Taylor writes “We are what we imagine ourselves to be and we can only imagine what we know to be possible. The founding of Penumbra Theatre enlarged that possibility. And it’s corresponding success provokes the community to a higher expectation of itself” The theater allows the community to see what is possible for them and thereby expands their schemes of who they can become. Both Chubby’s and Penumbra’s work encouraged members of the community to branch out and try new things. Whether that is starting their own business, or just imagining a future that could be