I just read an interesting article on sundown towns. These were communities where African Americans were, ahem, encouraged to leave town before sunset. Often, signs were posted near the town borders bearing messages like, “Nigger don’t let the sun set on you in [insert town name here].”
The article is essentially a review of Sundown Towns: A Hidden Dimension of American Racism. By James W. Loewen. These communities should not be forgotten. I have had many conversations with well-meaning people who assert that racism is a thing of the past and that we’re “beyond all that” these days. I beg to differ. Alabama didn’t repeal its anti-miscegenation law until the year 2000, after all. Racism is alive and well in the hearts and minds of many, if not officially enshrined in law. We must continue to fight against intolerance of all stripes if we are to live up to our potential as one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
For more info on fighting hatred, try Tolerance.org.
