After President Biden announced his administration's $2.2 trillion infrastructure proposal, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg pointed out that "there is racism physically built into some of our highways".
On its face this statement may seem absurd; how can a road be racist? A closer look reveals that in many cases, highways and other infrastructure projects were constructed at the expense of communities inhabited largely by people of colour.
Buttegieg gave numerous examples of projects whose construction proceeded the demolition of marginalized peoples' neighbourhoods, citing the infamous New York City Parks Commissioner Robert Moses. Many of Moses' notable projects, including the Cross Bronx Expressway, saw the automobile given priority over the wellbeing of certain residents of the city.
It was reported that the planners of the Interstate System, which began in the 1950's, "routed some highways directly, and sometimes purposefully, through Black and brown communities", leading to inequalities that persist to this day.
According to NPR, "Biden's plan includes $20 billion for a program that would 'reconnect neighborhoods cut off by historic investments' ".
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell is one of many Republicans calling the plan a "missed opportunity", stating that "Less than 6% of this massive proposal goes to roads and bridges".
Join and support independent free thinkers!
We’re independent and can’t be cancelled. The establishment media is increasingly dedicated to divisive cancel culture, corporate wokeism, and political correctness, all while covering up corruption from the corridors of power. The need for fact-based journalism and thoughtful analysis has never been greater. When you support The Post Millennial, you support freedom of the press at a time when it's under direct attack. Join the ranks of independent, free thinkers by supporting us today for as little as $1.
Remind me next month
To find out what personal data we collect and how we use it, please visit our Privacy Policy
