Golden Valley, along with the Just Deeds Coalition and Mapping Prejudice, is one of the communities featured in a new series of documentary shorts created by Twin Cities Public Television that illustrate how purposeful property restrictions promoted segregation in the Twin Cities. “Jim Crow of the North Stories” is a follow-up to the 2019 Emmy-award winning documentary “Jim Crow of the North.” The shorts can be viewed on the TPT website.
The series shows how Minnesotans have responded to the rising awareness of racist housing covenants, red lining, and other practices that racially segregated Golden Valley, in sharp contrast to neighboring North Minneapolis.
Illuminating A Faultline
In 2018 Mapping Prejudice publicly shared racial covenants embedded in Hennepin County property records. These restrictions prevented people who were not White from owning or even occupying property in the suburbs west of North Minneapolis. Because of these restrictions, Golden Valley remains overwhelmingly White more than 50 years after the passage of the Fair Housing Act.
In the years since Mapping Prejudice brought the issue to light, a constellation of organizations has formed to foster community awareness and reparative action. The goal is to heal this fracture and repair the harm done by racist housing policies. One of these organizations, Just Deeds, was co-founded by the City of Golden Valley.
Building A Bridge
Golden Valley and North Minneapolis have been divided for decades through property restrictions and other purposeful segregation. To help “Bridge the Faultlines,” community members are invited to come together to experience these stories at two live public events featuring music, poetry, and food. Both events are free with registration. Registration for the first event can be done here and for the second here. All are invited to activate their purpose and become part of the change and healing.
Learn More
To learn more and to get involved, check out the following resources:
www.tpt.org/jim-crow-north-stories/video/jim-crow-of-the-north-stories-preview-5ryvdu
www.justdeeds.org
www.mappingprejudice.org
www.goldenvalleymn.gov/452/Just-Deeds-Project
www.freethedeeds.org