Racist Roads?

In many areas the freeway system was routed through traditional black neighborhoods. Some say it was because exercising eminent domain to condemn the neighborhoods was cheaper because the black areas were less expensive so it cost the government less when they bought them out. Others believed it was with the intent of moving blacks out. In any event the effect was to divide or eliminate black areas.

Detroit's "Black Bottom" had a major intersection built in the middle of the business and restaurant area, removed a thriving source of employment, entertainment and left the residential section divided with no easy way to cross over the massive 8 lane each way freeway intersection.

While I am all for the government being frugal when embarking on new projects it isn't a bad idea to keep in mind the "unintended consequences" of what they do.

I like to believe the destruction of Detroit's Black Bottom was an unintentional by product of the government trying to get the most for its dollar.....but I'm white and it wasn't my home, neighborhood and traditions that were destroyed.

There has to be a balance. Being sensitive to our past when starting new projects isn't a bad thing. Waving the racist flag doesn't seem like a good idea either. When we know better we do better....or at least we should.