[blockquote type=”left”]”We have seen that sundown towns both collect and create racists, while integrated towns both collect and create anti-racists. Just as cognitive dissonance makes whites more racist when they live in a sundown town, which they must justify, so it makes whites less racist, even anti-racist, when they live in a multiracial town, which they must justify. Ideology and attitudes thus flow from social structure, with profound consequences for the next generation.” (450)[/blockquote]

What are some things about your way of life that seem normal to you? What are some ways of life that are normal to your friends, to your church? What are the things that you don’t give a second thought to?

[blockquote type=”left”]”Sociologist John Logan stresses, ‘Black preferences are strongly affected by beliefs about whites’ attitudes and behavior,’ so ‘their reluctance to live in a predominantly white neighborhood is due to their belief that whites would react negatively.’ Reputations are important. In Arab [Alabama], for instance, the 2000 census showed just a single black household among 7,139 total population. ‘Why so few?’ I asked a longtime resident. He referred to the violent exclusion of the past: ‘That happened a long time ago, and it’s still in their {blacks’} minds.'” (347)[/blockquote]

What is the reputation of your town? Your county? Your church? Has anyone written a book or article about your area?

What reputations are you working to uphold? What needs to change?

What beliefs have you grown up with? Whose beliefs and opinions have been absent in your life?

What is your history with race and class and place? Where have you lived and who have your neighbors been?

[container]

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

Buy now

[/container]
[container]

An Integrated Life

a series studying the book Sundown Towns by James Loewen

[/container]

[container]
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
Part 13 – City Schools, Suburb Schools
Part 14 – What Are You Supporting With Your Way of Life?
Part 15 – Living In Fear
Part 16 – An Historical Comparison

[/container]