Sundown Towns
1890-1910

For decades after the 14th Amendment was ratified, continuing well into the 20th century, Black Americans suffered discrimination that came in many forms. “Sundown Towns,” part of what is called our “hidden history,” were communities that systematically excluded Black Americans after dark. There is still some evidence of them. James Loewen, Professor Emeritus of Sociology at the University of Vermont has researched the issue extensively, and is the author of Sundown Towns: A Hidden Dimension of American Racism, the first book ever written on the subject.

Contributors: James Loewen

Originally aired January 21, 2009