NENC/America Amplified Special: How Segregation Persists In ‘Progressive’ New England

By Morgan Springer, Vanessa de la TorreSeptember 24, 2020

Steve Harris, a longtime resident of Hartford, Conn., said the city’s North End used to be an integrated neighborhood. Then came white flight. Now, Harris says, he doesn't see any generational wealth in his neighborhood. Just generational poverty. (Joe Amon/Connecticut Public/NENC)
Steve Harris, a longtime resident of Hartford, Conn., said his neighborhood in the city’s North End used to be integrated. Then came white flight. Now, Harris says, he doesn't see any generational wealth in his neighborhood. Just generational poverty. (Joe Amon/Connecticut Public/NENC)
Steve Harris stands in front of his home in Hartford, Conn. Harris says his neighborhood used to be integrated. Then came white flight. Now, Harris says, he doesn't see any generational wealth. Just generational poverty. (Joe Amon/Connecticut Public/NENC)

Despite progress in civil rights, segregated communities still exist throughout New England. This week on NEXT, we look at how housing laws and discrimination influence where we live. It’s the second show in a special series on racism in New England — produced by the New England News Collaborative and America Amplified.

We want to hear from you:

How does racism affect mental health and treatment? What experiences have you had?

Leave us a voicemail on our comment line: 860-275-7595. Or email us at AmericaAmplified@nepm.org.

Guests:

Reuben Jackson, former Vermont resident and host of Friday Night Jazz on Vermont Public Radio. He left the program in 2018 and now lives in Washington, D.C.

Sara Bronin, land-use expert, UConn professor and architect who is part of the Desegregate CT initiative.

Steve Harris, retired firefighter, Vietnam vet and former city councilman who has witnessed the impact of segregation in his Hartford, Conn., neighborhood.

Maria Eveleth, fair housing test coordinator for New Hampshire Legal Assistance.

Michele Miller and Matthew Andrews, two of the lead sponsors of a “Reparations for Amherst, Massachusetts” petition.

Credits:

Hosts: John Dankosky of New England Public Media and Traci Griffith
Producers: Lydia Brown of Vermont Public Radio, Daniela Luna
Coordinating Producer: Morgan Springer
Executive Producer: John Dankosky for America Amplified
Executive Editor: Vanessa de la Torre
Music: “TracPhone,” “The Samo,” “Stay Down,” and “One Call Away” by Latrell James.

Additional support: Connecticut Public, New England Public Media, Vermont Public Radio, Maine Public Radio, New Hampshire Public Radio and CAI Cape and Islands. America Amplified and the New England News Collaborative are funded, in part, by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.