The Dark History Behind Segregated US Cities

For decades, American cities have been plagued by segregation, a problem deeply rooted in discriminatory practices of the past. While overt racial discrimination is now illegal, its legacy continues to shape our communities. Understanding the history of racial covenants and redlining is crucial to addressing the inequalities that persist today.

The Rise of Racial Covenants

In the early 20th century, a disturbing trend emerged: racial covenants. These were clauses written into property deeds that explicitly prohibited owners from selling or leasing to individuals of certain racial or ethnic groups, primarily targeting Black people. The story of William Simpson in 1909 Minneapolis, where neighbors tried to force him out of his newly purchased property, illustrates the animosity and discrimination that fueled these covenants.

• Racial covenants spread rapidly across the United States between 1920 and 1950.
• They were used to create and maintain segregated neighborhoods, effectively barring people of color from accessing housing in certain areas.
• In Minneapolis alone, over 25,000 homes were subject to these discriminatory covenants.

Federal Support for Segregation

What's even more shocking is that the US Federal Housing Administration (FHA) actively promoted racial covenants. Their underwriting manual encouraged the use of these covenants in new housing developments, solidifying segregation as a matter of policy. This institutional support further entrenched racial disparities in housing.

The Creation of White Suburbs

Following World War II, the American suburb emerged as a symbol of the ideal family community. However, this dream was exclusively for white families. Developments like Levittown, New York, explicitly barred non-Caucasian residents through racial covenants. These homes, while affordable for returning veterans, were off-limits to people of color.

• Levittown, a prototype of the postwar American suburb, contained over 17,000 homes, all restricted to white residents.
• This exclusionary practice contributed to "white flight," as white families moved to racially homogenous suburbs.
• Between 1950 and 1970, the suburban population nearly doubled, exacerbating segregation.

The Impact on Communities of Color

The growth of suburbs had a devastating impact on communities of color. As white families moved out, cities became more segregated, and people of color were denied the opportunity to build wealth through homeownership. This was further compounded by the discriminatory practice of redlining.

Redlining and its Consequences

Redlining involved labeling neighborhoods with significant minority populations as "bad investments." Banks refused to provide mortgages in these areas, making it nearly impossible for people of color to buy homes. This practice had long-lasting economic consequences.

• People of color were often forced to rent instead of owning property, missing out on the wealth-building potential of homeownership.
• Even when they could buy property, its value was less likely to increase due to discriminatory practices.
• Redlined neighborhoods were often targeted for industrial development and freeway construction, leading to pollution and health problems.

Environmental Racism

The placement of highways and industrial facilities in redlined neighborhoods resulted in disproportionate exposure to pollution and environmental hazards. This environmental racism continues to affect communities of color, leading to higher rates of asthma, water contamination, and other health issues.

The Fight for Fair Housing

While racial covenants were finally banned in 1968 under the Fair Housing Act, the damage had already been done. The legacy of these discriminatory practices continues to shape our cities and suburbs.

• Even today, significant disparities in homeownership rates persist between white and Black families.
• Neighborhoods remain segregated, and many suburban counties are overwhelmingly white.
• Subtle forms of discrimination, such as steering and unequal lending practices, still occur.

The Ongoing Struggle for Equality

Despite progress, the fight for fair housing is far from over. Gentrification and exclusionary zoning practices continue to displace people of color and limit their access to certain neighborhoods. Addressing these issues requires a comprehensive approach that tackles systemic inequalities and promotes inclusive communities.

Conclusion

The segregation of American cities is a complex issue with deep historical roots. Racial covenants and redlining played a significant role in creating and maintaining segregated neighborhoods. While these practices are now illegal, their legacy continues to shape our communities. By understanding this history, we can work towards a more just and equitable future for all.