Racism

Michigan : If You Seek A Pleasant Peninsula, Look About You

United States

Michigan : If You Seek A Pleasant Peninsula, Look About You

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1 year ago

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August 7, 2023

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Michigan is a state located in the Midwestern United States. Michigan is the 10th most populous state with a population of 9.9 million as of 2016. Michigan is home to the city of Detroit, which is the largest city in the Midwest. Michigan is also home to many other large cities including Grand Rapids, Flint, and Warren. Michigan is known for its great lakes including Lake Michigan, Lake Superior, and Lake Huron. Michigan is also known for its abundance of Michigan State Parks which offer visitors a chance to enjoy the great outdoors.

Michigan has a long history of racism that dates back to the early days of European settlement. Michigan was one of the northernmost states to be settled by Europeans and, as such, was one of the last states to be admitted to the Union. Michigan did not ratify the 13th Amendment, which abolished slavery, until 1865. This delay was due in part to the large number of slave owners in Michigan at the time. Michigan was also home to many Underground Railroad stations where slaves escaping from the South could find refuge.

Racism continued to be a problem in Michigan even after the abolition of slavery. In 1883, the Michigan Supreme Court upheld a law that banned interracial marriage. This law was not overturned until 1948. Michigan also had a Jim Crow law that segregated public schools. This law was not overturned until 1963. Michigan was one of the last states to desegregate its public schools.

Racism is still a problem in Michigan today. In 2016, the Michigan Department of Civil Rights released a report that found that Michigan is the most racially segregated state in the country. The report also found that racism is a factor in many of Michigan’s social and economic problems. Michigan has the highest poverty rate in the country for African Americans and the second highest poverty rate for Latinos. Michigan also has some of the worst schools in the country. These problems are due in part to the long history of racism in Michigan.

Racism is a pervasive and destructive force that has long plagued the state of Michigan. While the state has made progress in addressing this issue over the years, there is still much work to be done to combat the effects of racism on Black people. From housing discrimination to police brutality, Black people in Michigan continue to face significant challenges that are rooted in systemic racism.

One of the most significant effects of racism on Black people in Michigan is the way it impacts their access to housing. Redlining, a practice in which banks and other institutions refuse to provide loans or mortgages in certain areas based on the racial makeup of those areas, has had a profound impact on the ability of Black people in Michigan to own homes and build wealth. This has resulted in segregated neighborhoods and limited opportunities for economic advancement, which has only served to perpetuate the cycle of poverty for many Black families in the state.

Another major issue facing Black people in Michigan is police brutality. Black people are disproportionately likely to be the victims of police violence, with studies showing that they are more likely to be stopped, searched, and arrested than their white counterparts. The use of excessive force by police officers has led to the deaths of numerous Black people in Michigan and has left many others traumatized and afraid.

In addition to these systemic issues, Black people in Michigan also face day-to-day acts of racism that can have a significant impact on their mental and emotional well-being. Microaggressions, which are subtle forms of discrimination that are often unintentional, can be incredibly damaging to individuals and communities over time. These microaggressions can take the form of comments, gestures, or other behaviors that are meant to demean or belittle Black people.

The effects of racism on Black people in Michigan are far-reaching and multifaceted. They include economic and social inequality, physical and emotional harm, and a sense of injustice and unfairness that can be deeply ingrained in the psyche. To address these issues, it is important to work on multiple fronts, including changing laws and policies that perpetuate systemic racism, increasing access to economic opportunities and resources, and promoting education and awareness about the harms of racism.

SUNDOWN TOWNS IN MICHIGAN

Sundown town, in U.S. history, a town that excluded nonwhite people—most frequently African Americans—from remaining in town after sunset.

Here is a current list of sundown towns in Michigan. This list has been created by Tougaloo College in Tougaloo, MS. This list is a work in progress. Some cities have been confirmed as sundown towns and some are listed for other or similar reasons.