Company
Date Published
Author
Sam Fader
Word count
791
Language
English
Hacker News points
None

Summary

Sundown towns, historically prevalent across the United States, enforced racial segregation by excluding certain racial or ethnic groups through discriminatory laws, intimidation, or violence, requiring them to leave by sundown. Sociologist Dr. James Loewen extensively researched this phenomenon, creating a comprehensive database and publishing his findings in "Sundown Towns: A Hidden Dimension of American Racism." To enhance accessibility and understanding, a web map was developed to visually illustrate these towns, transforming the database into an interactive tool that allows users to explore the geographic spread and significance of sundown towns. This map, created with input from Dr. Loewen and his team, employs a somber visual style to reflect the gravity of the topic and offers a new method for engaging with this aspect of American history, highlighting its ongoing relevance and encouraging critical examination of racial segregation's legacy.