[blockquote type=”left”]”In addition to sundown exurbs, another innovation threatens to maintain sundown suburbs, morphed into a new form: suburbs hypersegregated by social class.” (390)[/blockquote]

Loewen goes on to talk about homeowners associations and gated communities.

[blockquote type=”left”]”Gated communities epitomize defended neighborhoods, providing no amenities, not even streets, that are open to the public. Their walls and fences keep the public away from streets, sidewalks, playgrounds, parks, beaches, and even rivers and trails – resources that normally would be shared by all the citizens of a metropolitan area….status and marketability, rather than security, usually drive gating.” (391)[/blockquote]

Where are the gated neighborhoods and HOAs in your area? What are their demographic make-up? Are they a common sight? What kind of life are we aspiring to? What way of life are we defending, with both our words and our silence? Are we as a society supporting elitism or equality?

These gated communities and HOAs seem to resemble more of the empire and less of Jesus. Do we think we deserve to be non-equal? Better than others? Do we really think we’ve earned what we have solely on our own merit? We didn’t know somebody who knew somebody, we didn’t have an inheritance, or family help, or a European name or a dependable vehicle, we had the right clothes to wear and knew the right words to say, and on and on.

Loewen uses the example of Brazil, and I’ve also heard the same thing about South Africa – where you have extreme wealth with armed protection right next to extreme poverty. Is that the kind of country we want to create?

What do you desire? Who are you trying to become? What legacy do you want to pass on?

What do you dream about? What are you inspired by? What are you afraid of? What are you willing to give up?

What reputation do you desire? What do people say about you now, and what do you want them to say?

What are some of the costs to pursuing equality and not elitism?

What costs are you willing to pay?

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This series is available in a handy 40 page pdf that includes journaling space for the personal questions.

Buy now

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An Integrated Life

a series studying the book Sundown Towns by James Loewen

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Part 1 – A Series
Part 2 – Our Racist Foundations
Part 3 – What Are We Taught Is Normal?
Part 4 – All Whites Are Responsible
Part 5 – What Are You Known For Supporting
Part 6 – What Makes You Stay Silent?
Part 7 – Gravitating Towards the Comfortable
Part 8 – Social Exclusion
Part 9 – Restrictive Covenants and Governments
Part 10 – Do You Live in a Sundown Town? Before You Say No…
Part 11 – Still Forming Sundown Towns Today
Part 12 – Sundown Suburbs = NIMBY

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