Community Development and the Politics of Deracialization: The Case of Denver, Colorado, 1991-2003

Abstract

This article examines the mayoralty of Wellington Webb, 1991 to 2003, the first black mayor of Denver, Colorado, as a case study for testing the idea that “deracialization” produces benefits for the black community. Deracialization is essentially a political current within neoliberalism that argues black leaders should deemphasize race in favor of certain political styles and symbols. Upon examining Mayor Webb’s administrations—from the perspective of community development—municipal employment, public schools, police accountability, and affordable housing are found to have worsened, or reflected ambiguous change, for Denver’s poor and working-class neighborhoods. Supported with social and economic data, as well as interviews with community activists, the study concludes that race remains a significant issue for understanding how community development is pursued in black neighborhoods in some cities.