A People's History: A Rags to Riches Story of Little Five Points

Taylor Allen

English 285

As I crossed Euclid Avenue, I saw a man leaning against a newspaper stand. His rigid stance gave me the impression that he had been in this position for a while. His black boots looked like he had walked miles. His brown hair was all over his head, and he was wearing a worn jacket and pants. At first I was hesitant to approach him, however he looked like he had a story to tell. It all started with “Excuse me sir, may I take up a few moments of your time, I am new here, and I wanted to learn a little more about the history of this place.”

Little Five Points is a melting pot of culture and people that make up varying demographics. As a college student, Little Five Points appealed to me because of the shopping stores, and food. Consequently my experiences at Little Five Points has subjected me to more than just a cute vintage sweater, and a Zesto’s Shake. The neighborhood that Little Five Points and Inman Park is located in presents an interesting dichotomy. In the midst of an urban neighborhood complete with driveways and porches, one finds Little Five Points, and this gentleman I recently met who calls himself “Firechild.”

Last year in my African Diaspora Class we studied the importance of oral history. This history was special because it developed as a result of the people. Griots were responsible for passing on history purely based on memory. After speaking with Firechild, I would describe him as a Griot. Firechild’s recollection was relative to his own personal perspective. The Theory Toolbox reminds me that Firechild’s account is an “interpretation or construction of history rather than objective reconstructions of a past realities” (97). With sincere and honest questioning Firechild addressed the dichotomy that had always interested me, the offset of differing levels of wealth and economic standard.

 Firechild was happy to answer my questions. In fact he was very talkative, and knowledgeable about the area. He told me that his father used to be a barber in the 1950s. He described Little Five Points as a booming area that offered grocery stores, and many other commercial needs that served the surrounding community. Then he says things got “all bad with the blacks and the whites.” Harsh race relations and segregation resulted in violence and riots that hurt the community. Furthermore he told me that the construction of “the big ol road,” the Stone Mountain Freeway caused many people to loose their homes. Soon he told me Little Five Points had worsened to nothing but empty, boarded up buildings. He chuckled and reminiscences on the illegal behavior him and “Chucky” used to engage in during this time. Finally he tells me that a “big healthy food store” and “government dough came in.” At this point he describes the re-birth of small community owned businesses trickling into the area. These businesses were not connected to large corporation chains. Instead each small place catered to eclectic likes. The neighborhood remained and the economic standard of Little Five Points arose.

Firechild’s story shed light on the history of Little Five Points from a resident’s perspective. Not only was his story unique and relative, it was factual and candid. Currently Little Five Points is a small microcosm of businesses and stores that cater to specific likes. This small melting pot that includes various demographics is off set by a modern neighborhood. The difference of poverty and wealth is apparent through the various demographics present. However like my Mom would always say, “There is something for everybody.” Little Five Points has a special charm simply because it offers a safe haven for all. 

Citation:

Nealon, Jeffery, and Susan Searls Giroux. The Theory Toolbox. United States of America: Rowman and Littlefield Publishers, 2003. 95-108. Print.

Building Little Five From The Ground Up, by Brittnee Gillespie

Hundreds of thousands of dollars, tons of manpower, and countless hours of thought and careful planning go into building a store. Every miniscule detail is taken into consideration in order to create a specific type of ambiance. Turquoise or teal paint? Cement or stone walkway? Arched or saddle-back or flat roof? Every decision made is made for a reason. Constructors manage materials to craft a tangible manifestation of an idea & each building is totally unique. In fact, while walking down the sidewalk of Little Five Points, one cannot help but notice the great variety of stores. Of course each store possess the basics—a door, a roof, support beams, and maybe a parking lot. But each architectural construct is distinguished and every aspect of the structure is designed and placed for a specific purpose.

For example, all buildings have windows to let in sunshine and air. But windows also serve a dual function as portals through which cultural constructs, such as consumerism and multiculturalism, can be examined. In Little Five Points, windows contribute to the consumerist mentality of shoppers by exhibiting flashy displays or merchandise meant to catch attention.

The variety of shapes of windows—square, large, rectangular, and diamond—are an exemplary show of the stress on uniqueness in American society. All windows serve the same basic purpose, but each store is practically required to put a special touch to the glass. No two windows have the same cut or dimensions or style; many are tall, others are tinted, and some have shutters. A window might display a mannequin clad in the latest fashion, enticing appetizers of a corner café, a rainbow of flyers, or a collection of Bohemian funk music. Depending on a window display, a preteen or a football player or a college professor might be motivated to go into a store. Through the window, a passer-by gets a quick sample of what the store has to offer. Even the window itself makes a statement about the establishment. A store dedicated to punk rock music has iron bars across the window, rather like a prison.

According to renowned authors Jeffrey Nealon and Susan Searls Giroux, in some contexts multiculturalism might be considered exclusive or discriminatory (57). This is not at all the case at Little Five Points. The many representations of different peoples and nationalities are evident by the great range of building structures. Any person can find a store of interest. The great show of multiculturalism ensures the economic survival of Little Five Points; the many choices of stores increase the attractiveness of the locale to the shopper and, simultaneously, contribute to the consumerist state of American culture.

Each establishment was intentionally created to maintain a distinctive style to attract a particular demographic. Just walking down the sidewalk, one begins to get the impression that every architectural aspect of a building, not just the windows, was formed to be visually pleasing for the sake of obtaining money. For example, the coffee shop is purposely built to resemble a quiet home to give off a quaint, comforting vibe to potential customers. The store with the giant skull with swirly red eyes commands the attention of anyone walking by, successfully peaking the interest of curious shoppers. Plaster covered in an eccentric paint design calls out to youth consumers. A respectable-looking plain building would have the reverse affect. At Little Five Points the way a building is designed is meant to appeal to people with money to spend.

Little Five Points has countless qualities making it a unique place to socialize and shop. It is a little piece of the world where people of all cultures and colors and backgrounds can come together as one. In this place, the lack of a monolithic culture is exactly what makes it beautiful, cheery, and relaxing. Anyone can come and fit in, because all people are completely unique. In fact, the infinite number of differences in the style of the buildings is a reflection of the differences among the shoppers. Each individual store fits seamlessly next to her neighbors and the addition of each new store increases the worth of the whole. Likewise, the every individual in an array of cultures significantly increases the value of the crowd.

Nealon, Jeffery, and Susan Searls Giroux. The Theory Toolbox. United States of America: Rowman and Littlefield Publishers, 2003. 51-81. Print.

Little Five Points: Essence of Individuality

The name Little Five Points directly reflects upon its location of the five points Moreland Avenue, Fulton, Dekalb, Euclid, and Seminole which intersect at the center of the neighborhood. Not only is the name significant, but the location is remarkable because it collectively brings together diverse communities to make it one. With such a diverse community Little Five manages to accompany every ones taste rather it punk, rock, gothic, reggae, soul, hip-hop, rap, jazz, hood, or classical. Not only is the area diverse but so are the buildings ranging from various forms of art such as graffiti, murals, photography, and design. The architecture of the buildings are unusual because the fit to such an unfamiliar standard. Some buildings are petite while others are large with skull heads, various fragrances, or art work on the side. Historically, Little Five Points space and culture is so diverse that is allows its community to avoid being subjected to the social constructs created by our society.




Since Little Five is a melting pot full of people with different ethnicities, races, class, and demeanors, it provides a place for each individual to have a “self” and not become affected from the pressures placed upon them from their communities (Nelson and Grioux 36). This “self” described by authors Jeffery Nelson and Susan Giroux of “Subjectivity” published in The Theory Toolbox, write that the “individual had to fend off cultural influence or definition to be truly authentic or unique (37).” That is what makes Little Five so original and welcoming because it allows people to express who they are without having to fight for their individuality in such a conformed society. Little Five is so remarkable in a sense because in the same area you can have a white male wearing all black with a Mohawk talking to an African American male with skinny jeans on and v-neck. One may even see a hippie lurking through an African shop whether it be for music, fragrances, or just simply because they have the option of being diverse and having a place that fulfills everyone’s need. There is no limit to the interaction that may take place within Little Five because there is this sense of “self” which allows the people to avoid being “subject” to social constructs (36).





With Little Five being such a “unique” (emphasizing the individuality or selfhood) place, there is a lost for ideology or “how things ought to be” (Nelson and Giroux 84). In most shopping centers such as Little Five, there is a distinct location and set up for every store, where the buildings typically resemble the same shape and form except for the name imprinted on the outside. Whereas at Little Five the buildings are drastically diverse ranging from short to tall, narrow to wide, huge to petite, vibrant to opaque, fragrance to smell-less, and loud to silent. The structure of Little Five is “unique” in a sense that it is not “ideally” built compared to most shopping centers where the alignment takes the shape of a square with designated areas for specific types of stores. However, Little Five takes the shape of a line similar to a promenade where the feeling of leisure and social activity are welcomed. Along with this structure the stores are scattered sporadically with no purpose of alienating or bringing together a specific crowd of people. Stores that typically attract middle or upper class people such as American Apparel will be held right next to stores such as Earthione which attracts more Afro-centric people. It is extremely apparent how ideologies are not bound to Little Five’s structure because the buildings are so non conformed compared to normal shopping centers where it is all about the business and not about meeting the needs of the diverse community.





Although there is no ideology of Little Five’s structure it provides a great opportunity for various people to come out and step away from societies social constructs and get a chance to express or taste their “self.” Having this selfhood is a way to break from the ideologies and allow your own individuality and uniqueness to show (Nelson and Grioux 38). That is what Little Five has down for its surrounding community, it has provided an area where diverse people may gather and converse with one another without feeling subjected to society’s expectations.

Written by: Afton Lane

cite source: Nealon, Jeffery, and Susan Searls Giroux. The Theory Toolbox. United States of America:
Rowman and Littlefield Publishers, 2003. 35-47. Print.

Little Five Points: safe haven for the subjective

Little Five Points is a cultural smoothie filled with numerous, demographic ingredients. Inside of one business, you can find people dressed from head to toe in Black, studded and spiked clothing. Inside of others, you will be able to find cowboy western attire and hot pink tutus. It makes you wonder, “Who is Little Five Points trying to attract?”Well, that is what makes this place stand out from all of the other social settings in Atlanta. Little Five Points reaches out to give people an illusion of what Jeffery Nealon and Susan Searls Giroux would call, “self”. The setting allows people to feel like they are “unique” and gives a sense of “self” to the people who were inevitably subjects of their societal backgrounds. Although this feeling of “individualism” is a false impression, Little Five Points offers an atmosphere of acceptance for people with all different types of identities.

At first glance around the vibrant, graffiti filled, close-knit area of Little Five Points, you would think it was a place for the eccentric human being. Everything about this area implies that people are allowed to be who they are. There are people with tattoos and others without. There are people who wear very modest, earthy attire mixed in with women in six inch stilettos and flashy handbags. There are men in their forties, reading self-help books at a café. Meanwhile, next door there are men in their forties who are unloading their truck full of music equipment for their gig in three hours. Everyone seems to have a different agenda and interest in this quaint area. It also seems like they are exclusive. Yet and still, different hobbies are only results of different circumstances. The people here are subjects of the world’s social experimentation, “From the very beginning, it seems that the supposedly ‘free’ self is already a responding ‘subject’” (39). We often like to think that the young man with the blonde and black afro with the bull ring in his nose is in touch with his “who he is”. We often like to think that he is untouched by what society has to say. Nevertheless, this man is who he is as a result of society’s tampering (whether that is something he saw on television or the criticism he received from his parents).

Even ethnicity seems to be a diverse concept here. During my time at little five points (for approximately two hours), I met people of African, Caucasian, Black, European, and Native American descent. While this mixture of culture could be found in other places in Atlanta, Little Five Points embraces these differences. Nevertheless, how different are these people? According to Nealon and Giroux, “Race- what it means to be ‘white’ or ‘black’ or ‘Asian’ or ‘Latino/a’- is a culturally constructed phenomenon” (40). So, when African Americans walk into stores like Vinnies, an urban street wear store, they are only following the implications of society. On a wider scale, When I walked through little five past the Hookah shop and book store, I felt like I was “artsy” and that the limitations of “self” were non-existent. When I shop at Rag-o-rama (the vintage thrift store), I am only doing such because of my liberal, Los Angeles hometown.

It may seem as if Little Five Points is using some false advertisement in order to draw many different kinds of people in. However, this place is not embracing “individualism” as much as it is embracing the acceptance of all types of different people. Nealon and Giroux explain, “There is no ‘escape’ to some place of perfect freedom where we are untouched by culture, no longer subject to our surroundings. In fact, the dream of such a place is one of the most profound and continuous myths of culture that we have in the west” (47). Little Five Points offers the people a different kind of dream. It brings together the extremes of all types of cultures and identities into one place. Little Five Points is the place where you can see a line of men camped outside of Wish for the third day, waiting for a pair of shoes to premier. Little five points is the place where you can hear hard rock and hip hop within inches of one another. Little Five Points is the place where women can shop for Easter Sunday or a nightclub. Instead of another shopping center or area that marginalizes people from one another, Little Five Points applauds every type of person for their interests, passions, style and societal influence.

Cite source:
Nealon, Jeffery, and Susan Searls Giroux. The Theory Toolbox. United States of America: Rowman and Littlefield Publishers, 2003. 35-47. Print.

Little 5: Mini America

How many American’s don’t love to shop? While I am sure there are a few who don’t indulge in excessive shopping, generally America is the destination known for its consumer based society. Little Five Points is an area that draws in attention from people coming from all walks of life. In order for an area to be attractive to a wide array of people, the place must give the people what it is they want. Marketable retail is a surefire way to get different groups of people on board.

Everyone has to wear clothes in the American society, and many people like to wear cool and unique clothing in order to have a sense of “self” or “individual identity.” Little Five Points is known for its environment of quirky and diverse mix of people; Little Five’s retail environment has a lot to do with what attracts such a wide variety of clientele. The retail aspect of Little Five Points is one of much diversity; the economic variety mirrors this destination’s acceptance of various cultures around Atlanta.

Three major retailers that stand out to me include American Apparel, Junkman’s Daughter, and Wish, three differing stores in Little Five Points which, in my opinion, symbolize different aspects of American lifestyles. America has a preset idealistic belief in “equality and uniformity.” Think about it, when you live in America you are supposed to believe that you are equivalent to your neighbor. You all have birth certificates, identification cards, addresses, etc, which certify you as an American citizen. In the same way, American Apparel clothing creates a sense of uniformity. Though the pieces can be mixed and matched, at first glance the clothing of American apparel is very generic and manufactured. American Apparel symbolizes the grand scheme of ideology in America; the grand scheme says that to be an American, you must conform to the American ways.

Junkman’s daughter is an alternative store which carries gothic and costume apparel, street wear, housing furniture, random trinkets, and even smoking pipes and bongs. This store embodies the American who goes against preconceived ideals. The typical American could not and would not wear to work a blond wig with sequins. However, you can easily locate these items in a store such as this. Generally, Americans aren’t supposed to strut around in crinoline skirts and gaudy gear; Junkman’s Daughter puts this theory to rest and pushes the fashion and lifestyle boundaries by selling unique and marketable product.

The urban destination for shopping needs is Wish, a high energy sneaker and street wear shop. The ideal Wish customer is someone who is a “sneaker-head,” or someone who is infatuated with attaining and collecting sneakers. The typical Wish customer also appreciates and has a love for hip hop and rap. During my visit to Little Five Points there was a line of young men waiting for a shoe to arrive in-store the next morning—yes, it’s that serious. Wish caters to the athletic individual, who likes to be comfortable and expressive at the same time.

After visiting a few of the stores featured in little five points and interacting with the owners, I learned a lot about how little five points is perceived by its inhabitants. After asking the owner Cultural Accents, an African shop, why she chose little five points as her location, her response was pretty simple. She said things like “the vibe,” “the people, “it just feels comfortable here,” and “little five points has an international feel.” A Native American shop owner who has experienced working in little five for eighteen years refers to it as “cutting edge.” These different titles speak to the ideology of Little Five Points—it is the destination where any and everything goes.

There is another aspect of the retailers in Little Five Points that sets them apart from other shopping destinations. While in little five points, I noticed that shop owners are not subject to time much like mall businesses. In common businesses and mall chain stores there is a set daily time for the opening and closing of a store. However, the owner of an accessory shop in Little Five left her shop midday around 3pm. Another shop owner posted up a “gone to lunch” sign. Both of these instances caught me off guard because I am accustomed to the ideal retail establishments that open and close at specific times.Little Five Points is in fact its own melting pot, a meshing place for free thinkers and rebels, as well as classic conformists. Whatever your path may be, there is a place for you in Little Five Points. The retail establishments and the way these businesses are operated say something about the area and the people shopping within the area. As I mentioned before, there is a wide variety of stores in Little Five Points, and this variety is exactly what is needed in order to market to such a diverse consumer market.

--Denia Moreland

Little Five Points: Hippie Hot Spot by Default

Atlanta owns many titles. The third largest city in the nation has been named everything from Hotlanta to the city with horrific traffic congestion. Atlanta has exciting venues that can be found throughout the city. However, these great places are often times inaccessible to the youth who may not have cars. Furthermore, the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA), a system that the youth heavily rely on, does not branch throughout the suburbs of the city. Rather, the transit system is readily found in the heart of downtown Atlanta.
Conveniently, Little Five Points is only a train stop and a short bus ride away from wherever one may reside. The location of Little Five Points in part explains why many teenagers frequent the venue. As she perused the racks of the popular thrift store Rag-O-Rama, Sixteen year old Amanda Brown said “Growing up in Atlanta, Little Five Points was really the only place to go on an average weekend.”

Teens often have no other choice than Little Five Points. However, once one decides to visit one of the small shops or even lounge on a stoop of a building, there are specific cultural norms that must be followed. On an everyday stroll, citizens with retro hairstyles and eccentric outfits can be found. Fourteen year old, Damien said “most times people go out of their way to act weird to fit in here.”

Authors of the Theory Toolbox, Jeffrey Nealon and Susan Searls Giroux, argue that “culture in general tends to favor or encourage the production of certain (i.e. consumers) over others—explicitly through the institution of law and order and implicitly through social norms that inform our perceptions of morality and social conduct” (73). This proves Damien’s previous statement correct. Teenagers witness the tall man with a high top fade. They watch others lounge around in the middle of the afternoon sipping on cappuccinos. These implicit social norms instruct teens on how to maneuver and become a part of the Little Five Points culture.
Accordingly, many teenagers follow the societal norms. Amanda added “My sister used to work in so many stores here. The more I came to visit her—the gradual process began. I used to wear loafers. Then I bought a pair of chucks here that have turned into what you see today.” Amanda show cased her beaten up and holey pair of tennis shoes. The grit and the grunge that have accumulated on Amanda’s shoes speaks volumes to the transition she underwent in order to assimilate into the culture.

The evidence found in the graffiti and raunchy store front designs projects that Little Five Points (and each person that inhabits the space) holds an ideology that rebels from the status quo. Normalcy is shunned and any thoughts of a suit or business tie are out of the window. While she examined a cheetah print fabric in Soul Kiss, 19 year old Rebecca exclaims “Most people who come to Little Five and an inner rock star. Now that I think about it, I guess I do too!” In Little Five Points the prevailing ideology is that it is common to be uncommon.
Teenage years are the time when individuals are searching for their identity. The renowned psychologist Erik Erikson concludes that in this stage of life the adolescent is undergoing a serious period of soul-searching in order to develop a sense of self. In other words, teens are trying out different skins until he or she finds one that fits. The skin just happens to be lined with rhinestones or polka dots for those that venture into Little Five Points.
It is important to question whether this rebellious ideology was owned before teens frequented the beloved “L5P” or if the lifestyle was issued after several visits. Although most skater boys would disagree, ideology is inseparable from culture. It is the common sense or the generally accepted norms of any given group. The authors of the Theory Toolbox make an extensive effort to illustrate the idea that in order to be creative or to produce new ideas, you must first come to an agreement about what current conditions or ideas exist.

Therefore, the outstanding tattoo artist at the tattoo parlor must recognize the work of others before he or she can even make anything new. In order to think about it in another way, how can the tattoo artist create something new without knowing what the old actually is?
The culture in Little Five Points celebrates originality. This location has established implicit rules that encourage bohemians, vegans, and hippies alike. Therefore, teenagers who are unable to visit anywhere else on the weekend become hippies by default.

--Deaweh Benson