1969 THROWBACK: "WASHINGTON D.C. SLUMS" скачать в хорошем качестве

1969 THROWBACK: "WASHINGTON D.C. SLUMS"

In 1969, Washington, D.C., faced significant socioeconomic challenges that contributed to the existence of impoverished areas often referred to as "ghettos." These areas were marked by high poverty rates, racial segregation, substandard housing, and limited access to resources, largely due to historical policies and systemic inequalities. Up until the late 1940s, racially restrictive covenants—legal agreements preventing African Americans from purchasing or renting property in certain areas—were common in D.C. These policies concentrated Black residents in specific neighborhoods, particularly in the Southeast and Northeast quadrants, leading to overcrowded and underfunded communities. By 1969, though covenants were outlawed (following the 1948 Shelley v. Kraemer decision), their legacy persisted in the form of segregated neighborhoods. Urban Renewal and Displacement: Post-World War II urban renewal projects, often termed "slum clearance," displaced many low-income, predominantly African American residents. In Southwest D.C., for example, large-scale redevelopment in the 1950s and 1960s demolished homes, forcing residents into other struggling areas like Anacostia. 1968 Riots: The assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. in April 1968 sparked riots in D.C., particularly along corridors like U Street, 7th Street, and 14th Street in Northwest and parts of Northeast. These riots devastated local businesses and infrastructure, exacerbating economic decline in already struggling neighborhoods like Shaw and Columbia Heights. The destruction left many areas with vacant lots and further entrenched poverty. Economic Disparities: By 1969, D.C.'s population was predominantly African American (often referred to as "Chocolate City"), with significant economic divides. Affluent, mostly white neighborhoods west of Rock Creek Park contrasted sharply with poorer, predominantly Black areas east of the park. The loss of population to suburbs (from a peak of 802,178 in 1950 to around 756,000 by 1970) reduced the tax base, limiting resources for public services in low-income areas. #americanhistory #socialstudies #1960s #blackhistory #poverty