Mapping Inequality: Redlining in Iowa
Presenter: Sydney O'Hare
Museum Educator African American Museum of Iowa
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APRIL 5, 2024 | 12:00 – 1:00 PM
** virtual event **
Redlining is the systematic denial of various services by federal and local government agencies and the private sector to residents of specific neighborhoods. Black populations in seven Iowa cities – Cedar Rapids, Council Bluffs, Sioux City, Dubuque, Davenport, Des Moines, and Waterloo – were subject to redline mapping. The US federal government established the National Housing Act of 1934 as a way to save the crashing national housing industry during The Great Depression. Under the act, Congress established the Home Owners’ Loan Corporation (HOLC) that oversaw federal mortgage and loan guidelines. Over 200 US urban areas were appraised based on a list of criteria, including race and ethnicity, creating color-coded HOLC maps to distinguish areas of mortgage loan risks. Typically, those with a high Black population were marked red and deemed hazardous or undesirable. This practice led to urban segregated neighborhoods and poor housing conditions. The lasting effects are seen in the racial wealth gap and police violence seen today.
Join us for Intersections in April to hear about the effects of redlining and what we can do moving forward.
ABOUT THE PRESENTER: Sydney O’Hare is a life-long Midwesterner who earned her BA in History from DePaul University and her MA in History from the University of Iowa. Her academic interests primarily focus on modern United States history and how historical trauma is reflected and understood in public spaces and museums. As the museum educator at the African American Museum of Iowa, Sydney is excited to team up with other Iowa organizations and institutions to showcase Black history around the state. When she is not thinking about history, Sydney enjoys sewing, baking, and trying not to kill her plants.
You may make your reservation to attend virtually by clicking on the "Register Now" button. This presentation will be livestreamed on our YouTube channel.
If you have any issues registering, please email info@interfaithallianceiowa.org or call 515.279.8715.
Intersections is a monthly gathering of the Interfaith Alliance of Iowa in Cedar Rapids. It's an opportunity to learn, to participate in civil dialogue, and to discuss issues at the crossroads of religion and politics.