Dr. Thelma Jackson, community activist and educator, recently shared research conducted and compiled about the collective experiences of members of the Black Community in Thurston County between the years of 1950-1975.
The History of Blacks in Thurston County: 1950-1975 is her soon to be released book.
While meeting with Dr. Jackson recently, she shared with me some of the most surprising revelations from the research. Though the historic roots of this region seem inclusive with George Bush, a Black pioneer, who along with others, settled the first American colony on Puget Sound, these roots were overshadowed in later years by practices that excluded Blacks from having equal access to jobs, housing, and a life free of oppression.
A pattern emerged
In gathering the oral history of the region, a pattern emerged. Most of the Black families in the county lived in the Lacey area, which many presumed to be due to its proximity to the military bases. However, research showed a darker part of our region’s past. Restrictive racial covenants were on the books in many cities, actively preventing Blacks from finding housing in parts of our county. The unincorporated land in Lacey had no such covenants and provided an opportunity for Blacks to own homes, work, and raise families, as well as establishing generational wealth. Many of these racist covenants are still on the books in 2022 in Thurston County.
This book promises to share empowering stories of the people whose contributions were invaluable to our region.
The History of Blacks in Thurston County: 1950-1975 is slated for distribution in late February.
LACEY'S HISTORY TALKS SERIES
Watch Dr. Jackson's January 11, 2022 presentation
See all in the series