Sundown Towns: A Wake-Up Call for White Women

Hey there, Jonelle here from White Women Wake Up. Today, I want to talk about something heavy but necessary: sundown towns. If you’ve never heard of them—or if the term sends a chill down your spine—it’s time to unpack their history and examine how their legacies shape our communities today.

A sundown town is a place where Black people—and other marginalized groups—were historically and explicitly unwelcome after sunset. This wasn’t just about threats; it was enforced by violence, discriminatory laws, and pervasive fear. While it’s tempting to think of this as ancient history, their legacies ripple through our society even now.

Understanding Sundown Towns and Their Impact

Sundown towns weren’t confined to the South—they existed nationwide, from Illinois to Oregon. Signs at town borders explicitly warned Black people to leave by sunset, often reading “Whites Only After Dark.” If not posted, the message was spread through word-of-mouth or violently reinforced. These towns were a deliberate tool of systemic racism, used to maintain segregation and economic disparity.

According to historian James Loewen, there were at least 10,000 sundown towns across the U.S. during their peak in the early-to-mid 20th century. Today, many of these towns no longer display overt policies, but their legacies persist. Some communities still maintain unspoken practices or economic barriers that exclude people of color, perpetuating segregation and inequality. “These towns shaped who could live where, who could buy property, and who felt safe,” Karen pointed out in our podcast. “All of that shapes how communities look even now.”

Cullman, Alabama, offers a modern-day example. Known for its charming Christmas market, it’s also listed as a historic sundown town. Many white residents may not even realize this history, but that ignorance doesn’t erase the impact. A well-meaning white woman in Cullman recently made Tik Tok “headlines” for offering to “hold hands” with Black visitors at the market—a gesture that sparked backlash because it ignored the deeper systemic issues.

The Power of Listening and Learning

This story highlights a crucial lesson: allyship isn’t about quick fixes or gestures that center white comfort. It’s about addressing the root causes of harm. As Karen said, “Intentions aren’t the issue—the impact is.”

When marginalized communities share their stories, our first job isn’t to defend ourselves or our towns. It’s to listen. “Listening without defensiveness is where it starts,” I emphasized in the podcast. “We might hear things that are hard, but that’s how we grow.”

The second step is education. Sundown towns may no longer have explicit signs, but their history shapes housing patterns, racial inequities, and community dynamics to this day. Resources like James Loewen’s Sundown Towns: A Hidden Dimension of American Racism are excellent for understanding this legacy. By educating ourselves, we can better advocate for change.

Why Should White Women Care?

Systemic racism doesn’t just harm marginalized groups; it weakens societies as a whole. Racial disparities perpetuate inequality, erode trust, and limit economic growth. For example, a 2019 McKinsey & Company study estimated that closing racial gaps in the U.S. could add $1 trillion to the economy by 2028. Addressing systemic racism benefits everyone.

As white women, we often dominate cultural narratives and wield significant influence within our circles. This gives us immense power to challenge casual racism, question why our towns look the way they do, and dig into our own histories. Recognizing our privilege doesn’t diminish us—it equips us to lift others.

“The woman defending Cullman’s Christmas market,” Karen noted, “probably didn’t even realize the history of her town. It wasn’t part of her reality. That’s a privilege we need to recognize.” It’s easy to look at the surface and say, “It’s not that bad,” but that ignores the lived experiences of others. We can’t dismantle systemic racism if we refuse to acknowledge it.

What Comes Next?

So, what are the next steps? First, we listen—really listen. When communities of color share their stories, our role is to learn, not defend. Then, we educate ourselves. Look into the history of your town or region. Ask hard questions about why your community looks the way it does. Support policies that promote inclusion and equity.

“It’s not about fixing everything overnight, It’s about showing up consistently and doing the work.”

This work is hard, but it’s essential. Sundown towns are a stark reminder of how much remains to be done. Let’s lean into discomfort, stay curious, and commit to meaningful change. Together, we can create communities where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

Wake Up, Stay Curious

At White Women Wake Up, we’re all about leaning into curiosity and unlearning harmful patterns. I won’t sugarcoat it: this journey is challenging. But as white women, we have the power—and the responsibility—to do better.

Sundown towns may feel like a distant past, but their legacies are alive. Let’s not shy away from the work. Whether it’s starting a tough conversation, digging into history, or challenging systemic racism in our own circles, every step matters. Let’s wake up, stay curious, and move toward a more equitable world.

-Jonelle