This seminar will explore both the history of residential racial segregation in Chicago’s suburban communities and efforts to dismantle it. How do we explain high levels of segregation in some communities and racial integration in others? What has been attempted to de-segregate, and what are communities doing (or not doing) today to promote integration? Migration patterns, fair housing legislation, and liberal activism contribute to a range of outcomes in Chicago’s suburbs. Further, the experiences of African Americans have varied considerably from other recent migrants, including Latinx, Asian, and South Asian peoples. These local variations deserve our attention, as they have broad national implications. A partial list of communities to be touched upon in this seminar include Aurora, Bolingbrook, Deerfield, Flossmoor, Highwood, Oak Park, Western Springs, and Winnetka.
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