Walking neighborhoods, particularly communities of color, you can find various streets and historical land marks of historical figures. Many of these historical figures are prominent actors of civil society that pushed for positive change across race, class, and various institutions. 

With the many street markers named after historical figures often leaves a reminder to always push for the same positive causes. These small reminders encourage and empower the history. An example is that of Martin Luther King Jr. that once envisioned racial and economic justice for our nation. With each street or park dedication there is a claim to land. With each historical plaque of American treacherous history or empowering leaders, there is a claim to land. Each claim to land stands as not only a reminder, but a call to achieve higher standards of equity. As various communities of color face displacement, these historical landmarks are also a reminder of their rights to the space as a community, space that was built and inspired for them. 

Practices fo claiming land and keeping a space fro generations to come is not a new necessity or nor practice. Practices of claiming land extend into the expansion of all mankind aiming to protect, provide, and create community. In various African countries  the claims to land come from various markers like the burial of their ancestors. In Northern Uganda, there is the use of cement and burial heads to mark place and community, that is ultimately be honored and respected. These practices often varying, but nonetheless the commonality of history, respect, community, and claims to ones on space. 

In the American tradition, it is common to see African American communities destroyed before such claims and markers are truly cemented. In New York alone the African Burial sites had to be fought for. Many communities were destroyed, burial grounds covered up, and cities and government buildings constructed over any sense of a rightful claims to space - often creating massive continual instability of African American communities. 

Yet, this does not define the potential of African American communities to thrive. There have been successful sustainable black communities across the nation like Sugarland, MD - a freed previously enslaved community that re-established itself. Yet, we see the intentional break down and displacement of such communities, like Tulsa, Oklahoma. 

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Contemplating such dimensions, Chavies talks about the need for communities to come together and discuss proper ways forward. Chavies mentions the immediate need for reconciliation, but also the need to preserve local and national history.