Black in a White City: Racism and Segregation in Milwaukee, 1960-1970

Abstract

This paper examines the racial tensions between a dominating white city council, overbearing police force, and African American inhabitants living in poverty in Milwaukee's black ghettos during the Civil Rights period. While racism itself would continue well past the sixties this paper focuses on the racial tensions in Milwaukee during this time period. Racism and anti-black sentiments were very prevalent in Milwaukee during the sixties, and though said tensions have diminished since the Civil Rights Era, Milwaukee is still considered the most racially segregated city in America according to recently published Census Bureau reports. The paper looks at ways in which white politicians in Milwaukee used their power to disenfranchise African Americans from benefits, rights, and quality housing during the sixties. Additionally, the paper takes into account the failure of the housing market in Milwaukee in the late sixties, leading to the formation of slums and ghettos in Milwaukee. The purpose of this paper is to give the reader an understanding as to why there was so much racism in Milwaukee during the sixties, how far Milwaukee has come since then, and the reasons behind Milwaukee's still being considered the most racially segregated city in the United States of America.