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May 8, 2024

The Hidden Racist History of Some Pittsburgh Neighborhoods

City Cast Pittsburgh

The Hidden Racist History of Some Pittsburgh Neighborhoods

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If you own an old home, there might be offensive language in your deed barring Black people from owning the property. It’s called a racial covenant, and even though this language isn’t enforceable anymore, it’s still on the books in the subdivisions of at least a few Pittsburgh neighborhoods — and especially in our suburbs. Local writer and historian David Rotenstein joins us to talk about what got us here — and a new law that could help homeowners address these ugly remnants of the past.

You can read David’s reporting on racial covenants in PublicSource and Pittsburgh City Paper.

Learn more about our sponsor! It’s almost time for the 25th Mattress Factory Garden Party. It’s an epic annual fundraiser and costume party, and the theme this year is MAKE/BELIEVE. Get your tickets now for Friday, June 7 at mattress.org.

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