Disgusting isn’t it? Before you write this off as being a terrible product of racism in the South, I want to point out that this was right here in Southeast Michigan in 1950. This is a sign* from a time when neighborhood associations in Detroit and in the suburbs took active steps to prevent African Americans from moving into their neighborhoods. In fact, this structural racism was so rampant, that mortgage companies identified areas by color codes to determine eligibility for loans. If you lived in an area that had African Americans living there or even the danger of such a thing, you were not getting a loan. These actions contributed to the limited mobility of African Americans in Southeast Michigan and an historic decline in the property of these areas because people were refused the necessary resources to maintain them.
What’s the point?
People within neighborhood associations in the 1950′s came together to discuss the problem of an “invasion of colored” in their neighborhood. They believed taking this action was not only right but justified and advertised their position on flyers like this to generate support from their neighbors. This is a very sad part of our history and I believe many would say that it couldn’t or wouldn’t happen today.
In the Snow Woods Neighborhood Association in Dearborn, Michigan, I believe we are in danger of this very thing happening again. And I am speaking out against it.
Earlier this year, pursuant to a grant from Wayne County, the City of Dearborn opened new tennis courts and basketball courts in Ten Eyck park, which is in Snow Woods Neighborhood Association. Since these basketball hoops have been installed, there have been many long and emotional discussions about the impact of the hoops. Specifically, the main concern appears to be that these basketball hoops attract African American teenage boys (presumably from outside of the neighborhood), which increases the danger to the other people at the park and is a threat. There have also been contentions that having African American boys playing basketball in the park somehow decreases the value and saleability of the homes surrounding the park. From everything I have seen, these arguments are completely unsubstantiated.
Rumor has it that a group of concerned Snow Woods Neighborhood Association Residents will attend the upcoming meeting on Wednesday September 19th, 2012 and make a motion for the association to request that the City of Dearborn remove the hoops. I present this proposal as a modern day attempt by a group of people to take action through their neighborhood association against the recent “colored invasion” like in the flyer above. Simply put, it’s wrong.
I am asking those who live in the Snow Woods Neighborhood Association to attend the meeting this week and speak out against this blatant attempt to whitewash our neighborhood. Anyone who lives in the association is a member and it takes a payment of $10 for dues to become a voting member. The voting rights are good for a year. Find out more about membership into SWNA here. The meeting will be held on September 19th at 7 PM at the Ten Eyck Admin Bldg. in Board Room (#4).
It is very possible that the Snow Woods Neighborhood Association will make a statement on Wednesday about how it feels about a diverse and welcoming community. I hope that statement is one of inclusion and shows that the messages of the flyer above are ones we soundly reject.
I have become increasingly disgusted by the racist comments being left on the Snow Woods Facebook pages. It’s bad enough I have to listen to ignorant idiots rant about “Ayrabs” and “Towelheads” and all sorts of anti-Muslim filth, but this, too? And I hope the asshat who took down the rims one already is good and ashamed. (somehow I doubt it)
Teenagers are teenagers, no matter what color they are. They swear, they litter, they are, in general, self-absorbed little weenies. When we lose kids from our neighborhoods, we lose community.
I have a family dinner planned for Wednesday. This is more important. I’m coming to make sure a small group of small minded people don’t speak for me.
Thank you for sharing this. While I find it appalling in this day and age, I am sadly not surprised given the political climate of selfish intolerance. I am planning on attending the meeting as well, and will plan on officially joining in the hope of being able to vote.
Look who cares ….all I care about is the smoking weed …by the same boys who play basket ball there and the garbage they leave behind……..I have had to call the Dearborn police this year alone on the weed issue 6 times …..enough is enough whp cares what color they are …..not in my parks with my granddaughter playing there ….yes and to say each and everytime its been only the black youths ..there smoking the weed I have seen ..so far no other youths …could be that I know most of the white youths in the neighborhood ….because my youngest is 17 ….but the ones I donot know are the black youth …who have no fear in smoking weed in public and at the park it self
22 hours ago · Like
Anonymous, you’re a chicken shit. If you are going to accuse people of a crime and do it in such a lovely, racist way, have the guts to publish your name.
My comment is not Racist…its facts……..it was me and few other mothers with our kids ..ages 3 to 6 yrs of age …no need for that trash in our parks period —>>same time same place ..more then 3 times ….when the same black kids were smoking weed .and gathering to play basketball ..I have nothing to hide I just hit the wrong key after I posted this here / I wrote the same thing on Snow woods page …get over your self Cheryl your not God
since when saying you see the same black kids smoking weed Racist…really ….OMG
Just a quick update, no motion was made and no discussion raised about this issue. I don’t know what this means and I can certainly speculate. However, I have heard that there was a similar possibility of this happening in the Levagood Park community. Please keep an eye out and if you hear anything like this coming up again, let us know so we can speak against it. Thanks everyone!
My husband and I were doubly motivated to come in case this did surface.We are committed to keeping the parks clean,drug free, and accessible for all, regardless of racial or ethnic heritage. Thanks for addressing this issue.
[...] these past four years, I have brought issues forth in my neighborhood association, and encouraged others to get involved with the neighborhood [...]