Located in Detroit’s notorious Eight Mile neighborhood, a stark symbol of racism still stands today.
Often referred to as the city’s “Berlin Wall,” a half-mile stretch of concrete was erected more than eight decades ago in 1941.
Unlike its German parallel, the six-foot wall was not installed to physically separate, but rather to comply with a Federal Housing Association policy called “red lining,” which explicitly denied funding to black neighborhoods.
When white developers planned to build in the region in 1941, they were denied loans¹ because it would be “too close” to the black neighborhood
The notion of a ‘red line’ originated from color-coded maps used by federal development lenders, where ‘safe’ neighborhoods were shaded blue or green, while ‘dangerous’ communities were shaded red.
“There will be people who will not believe you if you tell them that a segregation wall was built in the United States, in the north, in the city of Detroit in 1941. This wall is proof of that.
That is why the wall is still important and I would say that it should not be destroyed” [said Detroit historian Jamon Jordan].
The wall site in Detroit’s ‘Eight Mile’ neighborhood rose to fame recently after it was the location for the 2002 hit film of the same name, where rapper Eminem grappled with racial divides while trying to launch a rap career.
When white developers planned to build in the region in 1941, they were denied loans because it would be “too close” to the black neighborhood, inspiring the idea of building an impending wall to appease FHA regulations.
Fast forward 80 years, and the structure remains in place, albeit with a renewed status as a historical landmark now adorned with colorful murals. Their presence has apparently divided the Michigan community in more ways than one, as activists on both sides fight to demolish the controversial symbol or keep it as a reminder of a grim past.
In 2006, the wall was decorated by a Detroit resident and stands as a reminder of a bleak past.
The notion of a ‘red line’ originated from color-coded maps used by federal development lenders, where ‘safe’ neighborhoods were shaded blue or green, while ‘dangerous’ communities were shaded red.
According to a sign installed next to the wall after it became a historic landmark in 2022, the FHA saw the artificial barriers as a way to protect the value of white neighborhoods from “adverse influences” such as “disharmonious racial groups.”
Despite the policy being dismantled by the Fair Housing Act 27 years after the wall was built, the structure remained, and the stark racial divisions of the surrounding population caused the north side to become majority white and the south side mostly black.
Even as many white residents crossed Eight Mile Road in the decades that followed, away from the hideous stretch of concrete and into the suburbs, the wall persisted.
“Because white people (were) getting FHA-insured home loans, within a couple of decades we would have a wealth gap,” said Detroit historian Jamon Jordan, speaking with bridgedetroit after the wall received historical landmark status.
He pointed to the rapid rise of African Americans in Detroit after they fled Jim Crow laws in the South at the turn of the century. But despite the new job opportunities, many were left behind financially by FHA policies, even though they made “the same amount of money” as their white counterparts, Jordan added.
“There will be people who will not believe you if you tell them that a segregation wall was built in the United States, in the north, in the city of Detroit in 1941.
This wall is proof of that. That is why the wall is still important and I would say that it should not be destroyed.
The wall site in Detroit’s ‘Eight Mile’ neighborhood rose to fame recently after it was the location for the 2002 hit film of the same name, where rapper Eminem grappled with racial divides while trying to launch a rap career. .
The Eight Mile region of the wall rose to prominence after it was the location for the 2002 Eminem-starring film of the same name.
The six-foot wall was built to appease discriminatory FHA laws that would allow white developers to receive funds to build in black neighborhoods.
Despite the wall’s racist past, many, including its founder’s grandson, now argue that it should stand.
Since then, the dividing wall has been covered in colorful murals, including depictions of important moments in African-American history.
According nbc newsThe idea for a wall was originally proposed by James T McMillan, who at the time was the patriarch of one of Detroit’s most notable families.
His grandfather, James McMillan, was a United States Senator from Michigan from 1890 until his death in 1902, beginning a dynasty of government officials and community leaders that lasted as long as his wall.
When confronted about his family’s connection to the divisive structure, the mogul’s grandson, Sandy McMillan, told the outlet he was “hard to listen to.”
“With history, you learn about the good things and the not-so-good things, and you don’t hide any of them,” he said. ‘I see that this is an important story that needs to be told.’
However, when the wall was first introduced, the reason behind it was no secret: The Michigan Chronicle ran a front-page headline at the time that read: “Load-Bearing Wall Built to Separate Races.”
However, despite the fact that some are horrified that such a symbol of hate still stands, others are now glad that the mural-adorned wall is still in place.
‘It is very important to remember this history of discrimination in this city. It still casts its shadow today,” Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan said after awarding it a landmark designation last year.
“The federal government very intentionally discriminated against African-Americans.”
The front page of The Michigan Chronicle after the wall was installed described the structure as “built to separate races.”
Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan said it was “important to remember this history of discrimination in this city” after granting the wall historic landmark status.
Detroit historian Jamon Jordan has advocated keeping the wall standing despite its racist history.
A sign was installed after the wall was designated a historical marker in 2022, noting that it was seen as protecting the value from “adverse influences.”
“History lost is history that can be repeated, so every time we educate we make sure current and future generations are prepared,” added Rochelle Riley, Detroit Arts, Culture and Entrepreneurship Officer.
Also referred to in the neighborhood as the ‘Birwood Wall’ or the ‘Eight Mile Wall’, the structure has seen some notable recent attempts to embellish its dark history.
Throughout its 2,200-foot stretch, the white concrete was painted by Detroit artist Chazz Miller in 2006, who enlisted area residents to help cover it in colorful designs.
In stark contrast to its divisive past, the wall is now adorned with scenes from black history, including images of Sojourner Truth helping children through the Underground Railroad and Rosa Parks boarding a bus.