Olmsted's Parks, the Right of Assembly, and Black Lives Matter

Explore the intersection of landscape architecture, civil rights, and social justice in this thought-provoking lecture on Frederick Law Olmsted's parks and their connection to the right of assembly and the Black Lives Matter movement. Delve into how Olmsted's park designs were influenced by his observations of Black gatherings in the antebellum South, and how his work during the Civil War shaped his vision of public spaces. Examine the role of Olmsted's parks in providing grounds for contemporary protests and assemblies, particularly in the context of the Black Lives Matter movement. Learn from speakers Elaine Scarry and Bryan Lee as they discuss the historical and contemporary significance of Olmsted's work, and how it relates to the "genius of the people" in shaping public spaces for assembly and expression.