CMI Confronting Racism

Relics of Systemic Racism: The Ongoing Impact of Racially Restrictive Covenants and Redlining in Our Community

Sunday, March 9, 2:30 pm - in person

Do you have a racially restrictive covenant in the deed to your house? The deeds of more than 500 homes in Hamden, including many in Spring Glen, where CMI is located, include these covenants, which were blatant tools of segregation. It could be on your deed even if you  don't know it. Although they are no longer enforceable, the legacies of the covenants, and also of redlining are playing out NOW in specific Hamden neighborhoods. 

For example, Black people who came North to New Haven for jobs during the Great Migration were limited to buying homes in certain neighborhoods. Today, many of their descendants’ homes in Newhall (in southern Hamden) have crumbling foundations due to the dumping of industrial pollutants in that neighborhood, an example of environmental racism. 

The Confronting Racism Planning Group, in partnership with CONECT housing activists, will help us grapple with how, as William Faulkner said, “The past is never dead. It’s not even past.” 

Join with other local congregations to hear about how the past is shaping the present and learn about opportunities to take action, including removing the covenant from your deed!

Light snacks will be provided!

Please register for this event: https://forms.gle/qbXJzpsAbeTHPBSx5

For more information, contact Karen Baar (karen.baar@gmail.com)

For the CMI Confronting Racism Planning Group

Karen Baar, Nancy Moss-Racusin, Beth Stenger, Nancy Yedlin