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.

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 href="https://justice.tougaloo.edu/sundown-towns/using-the-sundown-towns-database/state-map/">a database</a> 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 <a href="https://justice.tougaloo.edu/location/connecticut/">in Connecticut</a>. This hour, we hear about this history and what it can tell us. You can <a href="https://justice.tougaloo.edu/contact/">add to this research</a> too.
GUESTS:
<ul>
<li>
Dr. Stephen Berrey: Assistant Professor of American Culture and History, University of Michigan
</li>
<li>
Logan Jaffe: Reporter, ProPublica
</li>
<li>
Paul Saubestre: Volunteer Researcher, Hamden Historical Society
</li>
</ul>
Cat Pastor contributed to this episode which originally aired <a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/show/where-we-live/2023-11-27/examining-the-history-and-legacy-of-sundown-towns-in-connecticut">November 27, 2023</a>.

Produced by Connecticut Public, 'Where We Live' puts Connecticut in context. Host Catherine Shen brings us fascinating, informed, in-depth conversations and stories beyond news headlines.  We start local, but we take time to explore domestic and international issues and consider how they impact us personally and here at home.

Produced by Connecticut Public, '<a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/show/where-we-live/about">Where We Live'</a> puts Connecticut in context. Host Catherine Shen brings us fascinating, informed, in-depth conversations and stories beyond news headlines.  We start local, but we take time to explore domestic and international issues and consider how they impact us personally and here at home.

Where We Live is a call-in talk show about who we are in Connecticut and our place in the world.

Where We Live

Produced by Connecticut Public, '<a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/show/where-we-live/about">Where We Live'</a> puts Connecticut in context. Host Catherine Shen brings us fascinating, informed, in-depth conversations and stories beyond news headlines.  We start local, but we take time to explore domestic and international issues and consider how they impact us personally and here at home.

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