WHAT IS AN ARCHIVE?
Do you know what an archive is? An archive is a collection of documents, where there's only one copy . People usually use an archive to write books and find out more information. My team has two people, myself Rakeima who is 20 years old and attending my first year at Bunker Hill in the fall. My co-worker Bi Yi is 19 and will be attending Wheelock College in the fall. We worked on the archive of Mel King's 1983 mayoral campaign. We found different information on the issues Mel King wanted to discuss in his community. We also found papers from his speech that he wrote and the Rainbow Coalition that he started. This archive was really important to me because Mel King wanted change for his community and wanted everyone to be equal. This is also important to me because I've known Mel King for my whole life. He's my next door neighbor, but I never knew what he did for his community. It makes me really appreciate my community. Mel King fought for the future of my generation. This archive is at Roxbury Community College. We worked with a wonderful archivist, Autumn Haag. This was a great experience for me. I have to say it was not easy--you have to be motivated and focused. Archives are not fun, but I learned new things about Mel King. It was an amazing experience.
Brochure of Mel King's mayoral campaign issues, Mel King Papers, Roxbury Community College.
Mel King working with the youth, Mel King Papers, Roxbury Community College.
This is really important because it shows the success of the great Mel King who wanted to work with the youth. It's important because it showed he wanted the kids to be involved in their community activities.
Invitation to Cambridge Rindge and Latin school to come speak. Mel King Papers, Roxbury Community College.
Rainbow Coalition, Mel King Papers, Roxbury Community College.
Letter from New Bedford's mayor to Mel King about his mayoral campaign defeat. Mel King Papers, Roxbury Community College.
Announcement Speech, Mel King Papers, Roxbury Community College.
This speech this is important because Mel King lets people know why he is running his campaign for and why they should vote for him.
Mel King , Jesse Jackson Rainbow Coalition Part One (WGBH)
Mel King , Jeese Jackson Rainbow Coalition Part Two (WGBH)
http://openvault.wgbh.org/catalog/tocn-mla000782-andrew-young-endorses-mel-king-for-mayor
Mel King Mayor Campaign (WGBH)
http://www.rcc.mass.edu/lib/ASC/MKP/melking_default.htm
Mel Special Collections At Roxbury Community College
Rakeima Norris, 20 years old, South End.
My initial research question was, "What were the issues Mel King wanted to discuss during his mayoral campaign?" I found out that he wanted to discuss Women's Rights, Housing and Street Violence. I learned that Mel King is an activist for his community. When someone needs him, he always figures out a way to help you out. He is like a father and support to the community. He wants everyone to be equal. What I want people to think about when they read my archive is how important it is to be involved with your community. It's important to learn how to be a leader and learn to have good communication with your neighbor. Mel King is a community person, he wants everyone to be happy. I think it's important to be a leader -- guiding someone in a positive direction, collecting more information and ideas.
The lesson of my archival research is that we need to deal with everyday issues. Sometimes you feel frustrated with your community. If you don't speak up, no one will ever know how you feel. This is what brings a LEADER to the situation. There is always gonna be that someone that feels how you feel and gets frustrated with the different things that happened in your community. You are that one to put your foot down and stand for what you believe in .