One of the common positive traits associated with the growth of the Grand Blanc area is the assertion that ethnically, the area is rapidly diversifying. In fact, among the growing suburbs around Flint, Grand Blanc Township boasts the second- highest minority population, according to data from the United States Census Bureau.
Just looking at the raw numbers, however, can be disappointing to those hoping to point out great changes in racial relations and makeup over the last several decades. The minority population of the township, despite the rapid growth, is still only about 10 percent of the total residents.
The good news to those clamoring for social change is that when compared with neighboring suburbs, the area is far more integrated. Davison, Flushing and Mundy townships have about 2 percent of their total population comprised of minorities. Fenton and Fenton Township check in at about one percent.
So while Grand Blanc is definitely ahead of the curve countywide, the fact is that population trends are still very similar to what they were 30 years ago, with the vast majority of minorities still concentrated in urban areas and the suburbs populated by mostly Caucasians.
Why do I bring this up, you ask? Am I on some crusade to undermine perceived accomplishments of the Civil Rights Movement by, gasp, relying on actual data? Not really, but I do find the numbers interesting. Race/gender issues and whether or not vast improvement has been made by society in those areas are still hot-button issues, as evidenced by the debates around the Proposal 2 vote in November.
I am certainly not suggesting that the climate surrounding racial relations today is not an improved one. I am, however, saying that while some change is evident, we are still far away from living up to the “all men are created equal” ideal of our Forefathers.
Why has change, particularly when it comes to where races tend to live with the most frequency, been so incremental? Perhaps a document from the purchase of a home in 1945 can shed some light.
In the spirit of Black History Month, a reader submitted a copy of the old purchase agreement to highlight the historic struggles minorities have had. Here is an excerpt:
“As a further consideration to this contract, it is hereby stipulated and agreed that the following restriction shall run with the land, to wit: (a) No building shall be built within 80 feet of the center of Porter Road. (b) No exposed second hand material shall be used for construction of any building. (c) No abandoned streetcar shall be placed on said property. (d) No person except of Caucasian race shall occupy said property...”
These types of agreements were the norm, so much so that the exclusion did not even warrant being higher on the list than the stipulation about parking junk cars on the lawn.
This is also precisely why change has come about so gradually. This document is living proof that, while some people in the time period surely saw the evil of racism, overall it was culturally accepted. When something is ingrained in a culture, change comes at a snail’s pace.
Legislation, enlightenment, education and other factors have worked to weaken some of the ignorant thoughts held as truths in past time periods. These are all things that should be celebrated, but not as if the battle is over. If numbers tell us anything, it is that we still have a ways to go in combating racial inequities.

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