A gas station during the day in the outskirts of Texas, known to have sundown towns.
Image: Athena Sandrini/Pexels
In an age defined by connectivity and progress, the haunting legacy of racial segregation still lingers in certain corners of America, revealing stark divides that insist on being seen.
An American traveller, known on TikTok as @dreamteamceline, recently shared a disquieting experience she faced while passing through what is classified as a "sundown town" - a term that evokes a painful chapter of American history, where communities deliberately excluded people of colour, particularly Black Americans, through intimidation and violence.
During her road trip to Los Angeles, she made a stop in Dalhart, Texas, seeking food and gas but encountered an unsettling atmosphere that left an indelible mark.
“Nobody told my Black ahh this was a sundown town but there are signs and vibes,” she revealed in her post, showcasing the discomfort and paranoia felt by many Black individuals in similar circumstances.
Her remarks resonated far beyond the confines of the platform, prompting a wave of commentary from netizens across the globe.
One user, @theyaintstemleys, advised others to utilise the “Green Book” global app, noting the alarming number of sundown towns scattered throughout the United States.
Another, @jack_quelin10, warned that “the last sundown town before you cross into the LA border is Vidor, TX," describing its history as stomach-churning.
The reactions speak volumes about the ongoing dialogue surrounding race and accessibility in the US, with commentators expressing disbelief and concern over the persistence of such towns.
As @mo.tanz articulated, the existence of sundown towns exposes the hypocrisy of America presenting itself as a “first world country”, while still holding on to "backward ideals."
An Australian commenter shared similar sentiments, stating: “This can’t still be happening?! America is an alien planet needing serious reform.”
But what exactly is a sundown town? According to Blackpast.org, sundown towns are predominantly white communities that implement discriminatory practices to exclude racial minorities through laws, harassment, and, at times, brutality.
The term originates from warnings issued to Black individuals, informing them that while they might be permissible during the day, they were to leave by sunset.
While historically associated with the exclusion of Black individuals, the concept encompasses a broader spectrum of minority groups, including Jews and Native Americans.
Between the late 19th and mid-20th centuries, an estimated 10,000 sundown towns flourished across the US, predominantly in the Midwest and West. This practice gained traction during the Great Migration when countless African Americans fled the oppressive South seeking better opportunities elsewhere.
In the face of their migration, many white communities adopted hostile stances against their settlement efforts, leading to the establishment of restrictive sundown laws.
Though outlawed following the Civil Rights Act of 1968, some observers posit that vestiges of sundown town practices remain, manifesting in contemporary societal behaviours that perpetuate a revised form of exclusion.
The narratives shared by @dreamteamceline serve as a reminder that, despite progress, systemic racism continues to rear its head in subtle and overt forms across America, demanding ongoing vigilance and reform.