Racism In America: Past, Present, and Future

Part 1

It is interesting that two of the Republican candidates for President stated recently that there has not been any racism in America. Presidential candidates Nikki Haley, former UN Ambassador and Ron DeSantis, Governor of Florida were pressed by the media on their statements on racism.

Racism has always been a part of this country towards people of color. Black people were enslaved in this country for hundreds of years and thought to be inferior and treated with brutality during the whole time. Native Americans were reduced to second class citizens and their land was taken from them. They have suffered throughout the history of this country.

In the next few articles, I will examine the topic of racism in this country. I will begin with the topic of “Sundown Towns.” I have been doing research into African American history for more than 40 years, and I still encounter terms and books that I have not heard of before. One of them is a book entitled, “Sundown Towns: A Hidden Dimension of American Racism,” written by James W. Loewen. Some of my readers might be familiar with his name because he is the author of a book called “Lies My Teacher Told Me.” His books are well-documented with numerous references for those who would like to do further research.

In cities across America, there were signs that said “No Nigger Had Better Let the Sun Go Down on Them.” Throughout the book, Loewen points out the fact that one of the reasons that America has so many almost totally white suburbs is because Blacks were driven out by intimidation, threats of death, beatings, and murder. In some places the signs said “No Blacks Allowed – especially after dark.” He makes the point many times in the book that white neighborhoods and the suburbs are the result of years of racism and segregation.

Thousands of all-white towns were established between 1890 and 1968, many of which still exist today. The white residents used any means possible including the law, harassment, race riots, and even murder to keep African Americans and other minority groups out. I think many probably know this – but people did not know to what extent this happened. The book Sundown Towns gives specific examples of how this happened. The author stated that, “knowing this information deepens our understanding of the role that racism has played and continues to play in our society. This is important, especially for those who say that racism does not exist or who ask why should we worry about the past? The past still haunts us to this very day. We saw it in Charlottesville when the Klan and the Neo Nazi groups marched with their burning candles. We will continue to see it if we do not get to the root of racism.

I am going to introduce my readers to the term “Nadir.” The era from 1890 to the 1930’s when Blacks were forced back into non-citizenship was called the “Nadir” of race relations in the United States. The idea of keeping Blacks out was not born into this time period. It really began much earlier during slavery and immediately after slavery. However, Nadir went even further with stricter laws and punishment for Blacks if they did not stay in their place. The author goes into great detail in terms of giving the historical background of Nadir.

This country has never really had truthful conversation about race. Until this happens, there will always be divisions among people in America leading to misunderstanding.