Understanding how Livingston County became and remains a predominantly white community . . . and a path forward to the richness of diversity
Leo E. Hanifin, Chairperson – The Livingston Faith and Race Project
Diversity is a richness, never a reason for exclusion – Pope Francis, 2021
Many white residents of Livingston County seem to feel that racism is a thing of the past, having ended in the Civil Rights Movement and the resulting changes in US laws. It seems their definition of racism typically concentrates on overt racism, like using the “n-word” or burning crosses, while ignoring and denying systemic racism and personal biases (conscious and unconscious). They may also fail to consider that the “extreme whiteness” Livingston County amounts to de facto segregation, another form of racism.
Here’s some data on our lack of diversity in Livingston County:
• The five surrounding counties (and our state and our nation) have 20 times as many Blacks per capita as our county . . . 14% vs 0.7%.
• Those five counties also have twice as many Latino/a and six times the Asian residents per capita as Livingston County.
• Overall, those counties have four times the People of Color per capita than Livingston County. (Source: US Census)
It behooves us to understand how we came to this situation. My research on the county’s history of race relations is presented in my book, A Brief History of Race Relations in Livingston County. This history includes many racist events leading to a reputation that (at worst) is racist and (at best) is unwelcoming to People of Color. We cannot dispel this reputation by simply denying it. This reputation will end only with overt, intentional acts of love for all people.
Our reputation discourages People of Color from working, living or even visiting in Livingston County, and to some degree, causes our continuing lack of racial diversity. Without that diversity we will lack the richness of diverse cultures, raise children unprepared for a diverse workplace and world, and lose the many diversity dividends that other communities enjoy.
As I discuss these concerns with my white neighbors and friends, I have often had difficulty in engaging in meaningful exploration of the complexities and realities of racism and even the existence of our community’s poor reputation. For example, after the Livingston Faith and Race Project’s Unity Walk in Brighton’s July 4th Parade proclaiming “Love for All People”, I told a friend about the event. She immediately became defensive and denied that we were an unwelcoming community and said she was not a racist. She emphatically assured me that she welcomes all people. The message was clear . . . “I’m not interested in talking about race.”
While many people in Livingston County welcome all people and celebrate diversity, the perceptions of people from southeast Michigan, especially People of Color, are that Livingston County is an unwelcoming community posing significant risk for discomfort and even danger. They believe that they might well be the target of offensive treatment or even physical attack if they venture into our community. Personal conversations and stories with many people from Flint, Ypsilanti, Detroit and Livingston County support that this reputation is widespread. Here are some specific examples of those perceptions and their negative impacts.
Company Loses a Trainee
A salesman of business supplies recently told me this story:
“In 2009 part of my job involved taking trainees into the field with me as we went door to door promoting the product. Part of my territory was in Howell, where I took a kind-hearted and thoughtful Black colleague out for a day of training.
I grew up in a neighboring county, where it was widely believed that Howell was more racist than most. However, my racial ignorance allowed me to be oblivious to how uncomfortable a situation this was going to create.
After a couple of hours, she expressed her appreciation for the opportunity and explained that, ‘People out here, don’t like my kind.’ She quit before lunch.”
A Father Will Not Visit His Daughter A Latina friend of mine lives in Howell. In college she was part of the prestigious Mexican American Partnership program at the University of Detroit Mercy, where she excelled. In 2019, she advanced into a management role at a GM plant in Lansing.
For practical commuting reasons, she and her family chose Livingston County and purchased a home in Howell. However, despite her professional success and thoughtful decision, she was surprised that her father initially refused to visit her home because he feared coming into the community.
Even now, some of her close friends and family remain hesitant to visit and some family members openly worried about her safety, which speaks to how real and lasting those concerns can be.
Her experience, along with those of others, highlights how perceptions of a place—both past and present—can continue to shape decisions, comfort levels, and relationships in meaningful ways.
Pastoral Candidates Withdraw Applications
In 2022 Chilson Hills Church invited a pastoral candidate (who was in a bi-racial marriage with children) to visit the church as a “next step.” After researching Livingston County, the candidate withdrew his application. Shortly after his withdrawal, a second candidate who was Black was also invited to visit the church. He also withdrew his application. Both qualified candidates believed Livingston County would not be welcoming to People of Color.
Future NAACP Leader Laments Our Reputation
In 2023, a Black friend who lives in the Brighton Gardens subdivision, brought Andre Watson, another Black man, to my home to meet me. On my deck I described my book and my efforts to make our community more welcoming to all people. After we talked for a bit, Andre expressed surprise that any white man living in our community was deeply concerned about race relations and welcoming our Black and Brown brothers and sisters.
Andre is now the president of the NAACP Branch in Ann Arbor and president of the Brighton Gardens Association. He recently reaffirmed his concern about our community’s reputation, adding “this is a very real fear among People of Color that makes it difficult for them to consider and commit to living in Livingston County. Our county has a great opportunity to change that reputation by making a much more intentional display of their valuing diversity.”
Future Teacher Lost to Our Community
In 2024, an education student from MSU who grew up in East Lansing was looking for a student teaching opportunity. She became aware that a position was available in Howell. However, she chose not to pursue it because she was aware of the community’s racial tension and history.
Black Woman Expresses Her Discomfort
Sometimes it doesn’t take any overt act to make you fear and avoid a community. Imagine if you have found yourself in a situation when you were the only person of your race at any gathering or event. It might engender unease, anxiety or even fear. This sometimes occurs when People of Color venture into Livingston County. It happened at the recent July 4th Parade in Brighton.
That day about 40 people walked behind a banner that read “People of Faith of Livingston County: United in Love for All People.” The Livingston Faith & Race Project organized the group, calling it a “Unity Walk.” A Black woman from Detroit joined us. After the walk she shared some feedback:
“I want to be honest that the experience was emotionally complex for me. I believe I was the only Black woman walking with the group, and the parade itself felt overwhelmingly white. That visibility mattered. It was not negative, but it was noticeable, and it created a level of vulnerability that I am still processing.
Before attending the event . . . I felt uncertain about coming because, historically, my family avoided this area due to very real experiences and concerns around racial hostility and disrespect. Because of that, I think future events could benefit from additional intentionality around
preparation, context, and care for participants of color who may be entering spaces where they are highly visible or significantly underrepresented.”
So clearly, just being our predominantly white community can be an intimidating and “off-putting” experience for People of Color.
Our Lack of Diversity and Our Reputation are Linked
Reflecting on these stories, it only follows that our unique lack of diversity and our reputation are interconnected. In fact, both, to some degree, cause the other. Our reputation is a real factor in keeping our county from becoming more diverse. Our lack of diversity, in turn, amplifies that reputation as being unwelcoming.
The Many Prices We All Pay
“Racism has costs for white people, too. It is the common denominator of our most vexing public problems, the core dysfunction of our democracy and constitutive of the spiritual and moral crises that grip all of us.” – The Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We can Prosper Together, Heather McGhee
In addition to the human suffering, these stories show us that Livingston County and all if its communities are harmed in many ways by its racist reputation:
• Churches and businesses lose qualified employees and candidates for positions.
• Schools lose potential teachers.
• Children grow up in an environment that is nearly all white, and, as a result, are unprepared to live and work in a diverse world.
• Potential customers and residents stay away.
Businesses are forced to arrange transportation for employees who live 40 or 50 miles away in order to have an adequate workforce.
In addition to these specific impacts, our communities are currently being denied the broader values of diversity . . . the richness mentioned above by Pope Francis. Heather McGhee enumerates many benefits of diversity under the umbrella of the “solidarity dividend: the benefits we gain when people come together across race to accomplish what we simply can’t do on our own.”
Further, I believe that we suffer a personal price for remaining idle in the face of this lack of diversity . . . a price that is born of inconsistencies between our faith and our personal acts and biases. My Catholic faith includes core tenants of the unassailable dignity of all people, commitments to the common good and solidarity with all people. These do not allow me to remain willfully ignorant or idle. I invite all people of faith, and all people of goodwill, to join together in seeking a truly beloved community here in Livingston County.
Our Path Forward
The good news is that we can make a difference and help change the narrative and the reality. We need overt statements of welcoming and love to eradicate a reputation caused by historic overt racism. The Livingston Faith & Race Project invites all people of faith and good will to reflect on their core beliefs and live them out, individually and collectively, by welcoming the stranger.
Post a Sign:
Businesses, churches and other public places can openly and loudly proclaim that “All are Welcome Here,” and then warmly and genuinely welcome People of Color. Email Livfaithandrace@gmail.com to get a free sign.
Understand our history:
It’s important to know how we arrived here. Over 350 copies of A Brief History of Livingston County, Michigan have been distributed throughout our county. I have also spoken 14 times about our history at churches, schools, civic organizations and libraries, and am available to speak to more groups of interested residents. Just email Livfaithandrace@gmail.com to schedule a presentation or get a copy of the book.
Walk the Walk:
Join the Unity Walk on July 4th. Each year we celebrate our nation’s founding principles that “all men (and women) are created equal . . .” by walking together in the Brighton July 4th Parade behind a banner that states that we are “United in Love for All People.”
Wear the message:
Proclaim your love for all people by wearing this tee shirt.
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Join the Movement: If you’re looking for others who wish to make our community more welcoming and just for all people, get involved in these and other activities of the Livingston Faith and Race Project. To learn more about our mission, our history and our activities go to https://livingstonfaithandraceproject.org/. Email us at livfaithandrace@gmail.com to receive announcements of events and activities.
Be the change!