“The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members.”
— Coretta Scott King
“The Village”
The Village is a collection of visual stories meant to record the deeply rooted culture of Oak Cliff. Once considered the “Pride of Dallas” Oak Cliff has, in the past 50 years, become synonymous with poverty, crime squalor, and decay. Those of us who call Oak Cliff home know that this place is so much more than that. It’s music, and festival, and food, and literature and celebration, and spirit. We have our own special days and our own special ways. For posterity sake, these photos will tell the stories, provide the context and celebrate the community that is Oak Cliff, Texas.
These Hands……
have built many things, touched many lives , helped so many people. Made many sacrifices, provided many opportunities, raised many children even some she did not birth, buried a husband, healed many sick, fed many children. These hands are the hands of the community.
The Make Up of The Village
The Children……
They say “it takes a village to raise a child”, we, the village, are a child’s first introduction to society. It is within the village that children are groomed, nurtured, and supported to understand their place in the world around them. Here in the village they sit at the feet of elders and learn of the sacrifices of their ancestors, while looking towards a future full of promise.
The Service…..
It is said a society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in. Oak Cliff has always been a service centered community. From the simple act of borrowing sugar from a neighbor to helping rebuild homes after disaster; Oak Cliff natives believe in the power of serving their community. Local organizations such as For Oak Cliff , LULAC, and the Pan African Connection take this service to the next level by providing essential services to the most vulnerable among us.
The Sports
Oak Cliff has long been a hub for athletic talent over the years. From Dennis Rodman and Michael Crabtree to Sha'carri Richardson and Darrel Author, Oak Cliff has been the genesis of many All American Athletes. As we celebrate the 2022 South Oak Cliff football team for winning state, some may be inclined to call this a first for DallasISD. However Oak Cliff natives know, and with the release of ESPN’s 30 for 30 the world now knows, that in 1988 Carter High School also won a state championship. That is Oak Cliff history, that is Texas history.