Exploring Segregation Strategies in Southern Cities: The Case of Winston-Salem
A new publication sheds light on historical segregation strategies in the Southern United States, with particular attention to Winston-Salem. Titled “Good Parents, Better Homes & Great Schools: Selling Segregation before the New Deal,” the book examines unconventional methods used to segregate communities.
During a presentation at Knollwood Baptist Church, Karen Benjamin, a history professor at Elmhurst University, shared her research findings. She highlighted how white developers, some of whom held positions on the board of education, deliberately located schools in specific neighborhoods to attract white families.
Benjamin stated, “The schools were so effective at sorting people — that voluntary segregation, Winston-Salem idea— that Raleigh was like, ‘Oh,’” elaborating on how she discovered references to this practice in Raleigh newspapers. The papers noted Winston-Salem’s approach as a solution to race-related issues.
The Buena Vista neighborhood serves as a noteworthy example, where real estate advertisements appealed to white families by promoting the area as “protected” with “superior” schools, thus reinforcing segregation.
Despite past efforts to promote integration, statistical evidence indicates that numerous schools in Winston-Salem continue to be highly segregated today.
