In “Root Shock: the Consequences of African American Dispossession,” Mindy T. Fullilove discusses the upheaval of the natural progression of African American communities due to Urban Renewal. Fullilove describes how African American communities evolved in urban centers. Though they lived in ghettoes, an “urban village” developed, leading to social and cultural awakenings like the Harlem Renaissance. However, with the birth of Urban Renewal, these communities were disrupted from the natural path towards community independence and upward mobility.

Supporters of Urban Renewal claimed it would “clear the slum” to make way for modern development. Residents were cleared out of the ghetto, and the land was sold to private developers. Though Urban Renewal was meant to unify and beautify cities, the development strengthened segregation with the development of “the projects” and led to poverty conditions, stress, and illness in the segregated, overcrowded developments.

Fullilove illustrates the shortcomings of urban renewal with the example of Roanoke, Virginia, a city formerly home to two thriving African American communities. The preexisting community setting was disrupted due to the lack of aesthetic appeal of the slum. Residents of the communities-primarily African Americans-were told the changes were for their benefit; however, most of the residents were unable to afford the newly-built housing in their former home and were unable to return, leaving the community scattered. As one resident said, “We used to have a community…now it’s just buildings.”

In addition to the loss of communities and the cultures they upheld, urban renewal led to a paranoia in the displaced persons, leading to individuals who have a strong distrust of the government. We cannot blame them for their paranoia; as Fullilove explains, how can they trust a government that claims to be “of the people, by the people, and for the people,” when in fact it favors the development of one ethnic or cultural group over another?

History is written by the victor. When the weaker parties are given voices, they cause us to ask: is progress ethical if it is achieved at the expense of another group? Would African American communities have developed more-or more rapidly-without legislation like the Urban Renewal Act?