They were designed to be perfect, complete communities. Unfortunately, part and parcel to 1950s suburban perfection, at least in Levittown, was racial segregation. "Buyers of Levittown homes were required to sign a statement that declared, in bold capital letters, that they would 'not permit the premises to be used or occupied by any person other than members of the Caucasian race.'"
It wasn't until 1957 that this racism went challenged. African-Americans Bill and Daisy Myers moved in, supported only by one other (white) couple, Bea and Lew Wechsler. They endured all manner of persecution, eventually vindicated by the state attorney general. From the Myers experience, Bordewich notes "that facing down segregation required from ordinary black men and woman a degree of heroism that few white Americans have ever been asked to exhibit except in war."
I am moving to the suburbs of Houston within the year, so I don't link to this review to condemn suburbia outright. Racism and suburbia are not necessary corrollaries.[*] Rather, crowds of unregenerate people and systemic sin is the link of note. That said, it is instructive to Christians in surburbia to know the perfection for which you are striving and encouraging others to pursue. Is it one of our own devising or the one presented by Jesus Christ? Don't assume, for wide is the gate that leads to destruction, but narrow is the way to eternal life.
Read the review in full here.
[*]In fact, to see how the table has turned in the suburban/urban wars, take care to note what "urban renewal movements" often mean in reality -- move all the poor people out of town and replace them with upper middle-class business professionals, i.e., former suburbanites.
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