The Dark History of California’s Sundown Towns
Breaking the silence on California’s racist past.
Signposts litter the sides of streets. John doesn’t know what they mean. He’s confused when he sees a black woman rushing past his family.
“Why is she running,” he asks. His mother and father share a knowing look, but remain silent. Growing up, John learns the answer, not through archives but through stories shared in hushed angry whispers. His town was what we, hundreds of years later, a sundown town.
To the regular white “citizen,” the name sundown town would be of little consequence. Dawn or Dusk, their life wouldn’t be complicated by everything that shaped the reality of Blacks (as well as other minorities) who were coerced into leaving the town before sundown.
Before the “Sundown”
So, how and when did it all start? The answer to the second question is somewhere in the late 19th century, such as 1890, continuing into the second half of the 20th century.
To history buffs wondering if this was after the American Civil War and the passing of the three Reconstruction amendments the answer is yes. The amendments guaranteed equal rights and universal franchise regardless of race or color. But, a period of regression, a reaction to such…
