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.