Examining the history and legacy of 'sundown towns' in Connecticut

Where We Live

Content provided by Connecticut Public Radio. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Connecticut Public Radio or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://player.fm/legal.

1M ago 48:30

MP3•Episode home

For decades, there were cities and towns that were all-white on purpose. These communities are known as "sundown towns." Because this practice was both formal and informal, researchers put together a database of these laws, customs and firsthand accounts, under the leadership of the late sociologist and civil rights champion James Loewen.

At the peak of the exclusionary practice in 1970, an estimated 10,000 communities across the U.S. kept out African-Americans through "force, law, or custom." Many sundown suburbs also excluded Jewish and Chinese Americans, and other minority groups.

There are 40 towns listed as possible or probable past sundown towns in Connecticut. This hour, we hear about this history and what it can tell us. You can add to this research too.

GUESTS:

Dr. Stephen Berrey: Assistant Professor of American Culture and History, University of Michigan
Logan Jaffe: Reporter, ProPublica
Paul Saubestre: Volunteer Researcher, Hamden Historical Society

Cat Pastor contributed to this episode which originally aired November 27, 2023.

Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

1908 episodes

#Society #Government #Connecticut Public Radio #News #Best Podcasts Of 2019