Overcoming Redlining
Redlining is the practice of denying or reducing financial opportunities to specific neighborhoods, often because of the racial or ethnic composition of those neighborhoods. This practice has significantly impacted the black community, as it has often discriminated against black people and prevented them from obtaining loans or insurance in certain areas. The origins of redlining can be traced back to the 1930s when the federal government created the Home Owners' Loan Corporation (HOLC). As part of this effort, HOLC created maps of cities and towns across the country that rated neighborhoods based on their perceived stability and creditworthiness. Areas with large populations of black residents were often rated as "risky" and designated as "red" on these maps, which made it difficult for residents of these neighborhoods to obtain loans or insurance. Redlining has had a lasting impact on the black community, contributing to a cycle of disinvestment in bla...