The Destruction of a Black Suburb (Lincoln Heights, Ohio)

The Atlantic ^ | July 13, 2015 | Alana Semuels

[Mears]

” Are there places blacks have built where they vacation and invite others to vacation? Anywhere? Anywhere in the whole country?”

—

Oak Bluffs on Martha’s Vineyard.

.

[Darren McCarty]

I drive by Lincoln Heights when I'm going on 75. Looks like Detroit or much of Northern Cincinnati.

Here's the thing. The big problem is cultural. I grew up around rural poverty in Northern Michigan away from the major touristy areas. However, we took pride in our community and dealt with the cards we were dealt.

Urban areas are different. Before someone says it's color, blacks in rural areas are different than suburban blacks which are different than inner city blacks. It's cultural.

[Darren McCarty]

About four different areas border Lincoln Heights. Blue Ash isn't one of them.

The Atlantic should be comparing Lincoln Heights with Wyoming, Woodlawn, Evendale, Glendale, and Lockland.

[aposiopetic]

Thanks for that information.

I have been to Blue Ash but don't think I had heard of Lincoln Heights (for what it's worth).

In any event, whether or there are any racial overtones or subtexts, decisions about annexation tend to be driven by one thing, and one thing only: tax revenue to be gained from the annexation.

[Darren McCarty]

There's NOT one successful "majority-black populated and black-run" city in the country.

Southfield's surviving and a middle of the road suburb (better shape than some, worse shape than others), although it's acting mayor is white (and rumored Republican) and City Council president is a black Republican. Council has a white majority now, but it was black majority previously, as was their mayor.

It does have its issues, especially within the last five years. The housing crunch hit and the black middle class there are having undesirables moving into their neighborhoods.

[EveningStar]

ping

[GOPJ]

Not really a fair point. Most of the best resort places were built by WASPs and almost anybody else who eventually buys in there -- Irish, Italian, etc. -- is a "guest" of a sort.

Good point.

[GOPJ]

Although racial discrimination and restrictive covenants persisted on the Island, some of these early black servants became property owners, year-round residents, and small business entrepreneurs, particularly in Oak Bluffs. Much of the property purchased by these early African American Islanders continues to owned by their descendants. In the 1920s the African American Islanders began to offer accommodations in their small cottages that attracted black visitors from Boston, New York, Philadelphia, and other Northeastern cities.

You're right on this x ...

[GOPJ]

x gave me a link ... Seems on wrong on this issue...happens. Thanks for sharing Mears.

[Molon Labbie]

North St. Louis County, same story. A couple dozen towns all with the same issues.

[Las Vegas Dave]

Thanks for the “PING”!

[SaraJohnson]

How is it possible for whitey to continue to fool and cheat these astute people day after day?

---

Some say whities are devils...so we have supernatural evil power to rampage and ruin African Kings and Queens (aka Black Americans). Others say whitey has racism in their DNA and just operate without in our white culture ton think and operate in ways that undermine black people. That is why we are racists and don’t even know it. Only blacks and brown and white communists can see it. I am not kidding.

[Cboldt]

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