Historical October 2008 article. Dates, prices, services and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
Why Skinker DeBaliviere Is Special As we celebrate our centennial, we can acknowledge the neighborhood’s homes, the tree-lined streets, the convenient location, and the presence of many good neighbors.
To me, Skinker DeBaliviere is special particularly for its diversity. Before I moved to St. Louis, I believed, along with Massey and Denton’s American Apartheid, that once a previously white neighborhood became over 30% black it would tip to all black within a short period. Although majority black since 1970, Skinker DeBaliviere always retained a healthy and active white minority. Unlike neighborhoods to our north and in many U.S. cities, Skinker DeBaliviere has shown that integrated neighborhoods can exist and pertain. Today, there are other integrated neighborhoods in our city that are remaining as such.
As a social scientist, I can tell you that this is a major occurrence and is often forgotten in some statistical reports that call St. Louis highly segregated.
The overall area is, but we have shown that it doesn’t have to be that way. Why did Skinker DeBaliviere remain diverse?
The creation of the Skinker DeBaliviere Community Council and the work of its founding institutions played a major role.
The presence of Washington University and its students who lived here also was important. But, most of all, it was the work of residents who joined together to fight for the neighborhood.
The history soon to be published will highlight those many activities and their cumulative success. People, white and black, made this possible in difficult times.
They had to fight redlining, businesses reluctant to deliver to the area, and many other impediments. Today, the neighborhood is not perfect; few are. But, many of the original coterie of volunteers remain here and hope that what has been achieved will continue.
Some newcomers may be oblivious to or unconcerned about our history. That is sad because it is an unique legacy that many, even within our area, do not recognize. Diversity is our hallmark; it is our blessing.
It did not happen easily. Our churches and many residents played a role.
A few years ago, the Times held a homecoming party to encourage past residents to return and celebrate with current neighbors.
As part of the event, residents were asked to fill out sheets about their memories of Skinker DeBaliviere.
I leave you with two special quotes from well-known neighbors that capture the essence of my message here: Question: What do you think was most important to the development of the neighborhood? Answer: “The decision by many to embrace diversity and in the process not only stabilize, but strengthen the neighborhood.”- Joe Edwards Question: What are the most special features of the neighborhood? Answer: “Its diversity is its greatest asset. People of every color and every economic class live here, and in relative harmony.” – The late Greg Freeman
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, October 2008.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times2008_10.pdf, printed page(s) 2; PDF page(s) 2.
