‘Undesign the Redline’

Sinclair College will host the thought-provoking “Undesign the Redline” exhibit throughout the month of November. Beginning Nov. 8, the public is invited to tour this interactive exhibit that explores and examines the roots of structural racism through the experiences of people and communities affected by the legacy of redlining. Timelines, maps and narratives depict the origin and lasting effects of redlining, a practice which embedded segregation and inequality into the development of American cities and suburbs.

The “Undesign the Redline” exhibit will be on display on the second floor of the Sinclair College John E. Moore, Sr. Technology Center (Building 20) from through Nov. 30. The exhibit is open to the public Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Weekend tours are available by appointment. Call 937512-2161 or email michele.marcum@sinclair.edu to reserve a weekend tour.

Redlining maps, introduced in the 1930’s, delineated risk areas for federally funded home ownership programs. Neighborhoods where no investment would be made were outlined in red - literally “redlined” - and race was the primary factor in determining these zones. Because they were often unable to access housing loans, mortgages, and other financial services, residents of redlined areas were left with fewer housing and employment opportunities. A shrinking tax base led to insufficient public services and concentrated poverty. Meanwhile, investment poured into rapidly expanding, whiter suburbs, where families could purchase property and accrue wealth over time, while also accessing better-funded schools, jobs, and healthcare.

“Sinclair College is incredibly proud to host ‘Undesign the Redline’ and it’s especially fitting that it will be held in the building that honors John E. Moore, Sr. who worked tirelessly to enact positive change for citizens throughout the Dayton region,” said Michael Carter, Chief Diversity Officer – Sinclair College. “This exhibit is a catalyst for critical conversations for developing solutions that will transform our communities and help us move beyond the challenges of our past.”

In addition to “Undesign the Redline,” Sinclair College is introducing local elements through two additional exhibits. Visitors will experience “Atlas of Dayton: A City in Progress,” a traveling exhibition that contains a collection of maps connecting the landscape of Dayton, Ohio to the inequities that have constructed this place.

The maps visualize issues of opportunity, equity and resource access information to create transparency for the neighborhoods and communities most impacted by these inequities. In partnership with the Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission (MVRPC), the interactive digital component offers detailed information about the multiple layers seen throughout the physical pieces. “Atlas of Dayton: A City in Progress” is hosted by Sinclair College, and University of Dayton Professor Misty Thomas-Trout.

Visitors to the exhibit will also experience “Mapping Equity in Dayton,” a project developed by Sinclair’s Geography Department. The exhibit brings the power of maps to bear on our understanding of how and why some of our communities have more or less resources and opportunities than others, and to begin conversations about how we view, conceptualize, and respond to racism.

To learn more about the “Undesign the Redline” exhibit at Sinclair College, visit Sinclair’s diversity webpage at sinclair.edu/diversity.