A review by jamelchior
Sundown Towns: A Hidden Dimension of American Racism by James W. Loewen

This is probably the most significant book I've read in the past few years. James W. Loewen, author of Lies My Teacher Taught Me, goes into detail about the biggest lie of all in this detailed exploration of the systematic and intentional exclusion of African Americans, often by means of violent terrorism, from entire towns, counties, and one whole region of the country. This was far more widespread than I knew, and more than the author himself realized at the beginning of his research. Racism was not only about slavery and the Jim Crow south, but flourished in the North and West.

The subject matter is very painful but if you know of any intentionally all-white communities, the honesty is so, so refreshing.

"Living in a place where not everyone looks alike and not everyone votes alike is surely good for the mind as well as the children."