Island of Memory: Memorializing as a Catalysis for Social Change The dialogue pertaining to slavery in America has been addressed in detail for the past two hundred years; it is complex, layered and full of many different viewpoints and perspectives. It is not the intent of this project to be seen as a comprehensive historical representation of what took place during slavery; or is its intent to guide the ethical and social retributions pertaining to slavery. This endeavor intends to address slavery in America predominantly on an architectural level whereby historical accounts and ethical or social issues will be addressed in the context of their architectural or social significance. When addressing a topic so culturally and ethically divisive as slavery, an objective or unbiased assessment is impossible. It is my opinion that the exploitation of slaves is the most horrific act against humanity in American history. The adoption of slavery in America brought with it two hundred years of racial oppression, torture, and suffering to millions of ill-fated individuals. As America’s ideology was being built on the foundations that all men are created equal, the reality was that the people that were actuality building those foundations were anything but. America’s hypocrisy relied on the social conditioning that race dictated responsibility; and that with responsibility comes social order. Slaves were treated as sub human, more an agricultural necessity than an individual with the same blood and soul as any other human being. As Americans, and even more appropriately, as human beings we are responsible for the actions of our past and should be held responsible to make every effort possible to amend, apologize, and make reparations for the actions of our country. Slavery is an issue that pertains to all humanity and not just a single subset of our culture and community. It is a topic whose importance transcends any cultural or social difference. Of course, African Americans share a different understanding from that of other Americans; however slavery is a part of our global history as human beings. It can, and should, be addressed by all people. The objective of this project is to create a building that preserves the memory of a culture which, for over two hundred years, faced immeasurable oppression, torture, and murder. I feel that the greatest power of a memorial is its ability to educate current and future generations of people of man’s inhumanity towards man. The lessons learned from this memorial may guide future generations away from the atrocities of the past and promote a more peaceful approach to embracing our differences and understanding our similarities. This memorial will not take away the pain and sorrow endured by slaves. However, my hope is that this project will help in ameliorating one part of a much greater issue that till this day has been largely unaddressed.