American history from the 1950’s and 1960’s is full of images of civil rights conflicts, and as many marches for equality as there were, there were an equal number of protests against fair and equal treatment of citizens of African descent. One notable story involves a little girl, Ruby Bridges who by entering William Frantz Elementary School set off a series of angry protests and the withdrawal of every white student from the school by parents who believed that black and white people should remain separate.
Yet years before Ruby made her historic walk to the school, the community of Sunnyhills in Milpitas California was being formed as the first planned racially-integrated community in the United States. Sunnyhills was not mandated by the government, but by the people who lived and worked there, and serves as an example of what can happen when people decide to take action and do things different.
This week, I have the privilege of speaking with Donnie Eiland, Executive Producer of “54“, a documentary on the founding of the Sunnyhills community, and about what makes this community so special.
Theme Music: Wild and Windy by BledJon, featuring Linnea Locsin
Additional Audio: Soaring Above the Waves, by Rolikmusic
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