NPR

In Detroit, A Colorful Mural Stands As A Reminder Of The City's 'Segregation Wall'

Detroit's Birwood Wall is now decorated with murals — children playing, Detroit Tigers, people of all races living in harmony. But when this wall was built in the 1940s, integration was not the goal.
Detroit resident Teresa Moore, who has lived in the city's 8 Mile Road neighborhood for 59 years, stands in front of what she calls a "segregation wall."

Near 8 Mile Road, in a neighborhood in northwest Detroit, is the Alfonso Wells playground. On a recent Thursday morning, it's pretty empty; a father and son pass a basketball on the court; two little girls try to run up the playground's plastic slides.

And across the green lawn on the far boundary of the park is a cinder block wall, about 6 feet tall and covered with colorful murals — children playing with bubbles, Detroit Tigers, people of all races living together in harmony.

Construction of the "Segregation Wall"

But when this wall —

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