Seattle Civil Rights History

01/02/2007 at 9:00 a.m.

Segregation was never legal in Washington State like elsewhere in the country, but it left a lasting legacy. As late as the 1960s, Seattle police enforced informal "sundown" rules. In the evenings African Americans were not supposed to be in "white neighborhoods" like those north of the Ship Canal. People of color were often aggressively stopped and questioned. Even today some traditionally white neighborhoods still have racial covenants on the books. The Seattle Civil Rights and Labor History Project at the University of Washington is exploring these issues of discrimination in Seattle's past. We will too, today on Weekday.

Guests:
James Gregory is a history professor at the University of Washington and the Director of the Seattle Civil Rights and Labor History Project.
Trevor Griffey is the project coordinator for the Seattle Civil Rights and Labor History Project. He is currently a Ph.D. student in American History at the University of Washington.