Racism was a real issue in Bloomington-Normal

Posted on September 26, 2015

Mark Wyman will present his lecture on the history of racism in Normal on Sunday in the Normal Town Council chambers. (Adam Studzinski/WJBC)

By Terry James

NORMAL – Although rarely talked about, Retired Professor Mark Wyman says segregation and racism in Bloomington-Normal was real. Wyman recalls a black professor at Illinois State University who had problems buying a house. A white professor tried to help his friend find a house.

“He went to the owner and the owner said ‘Well, it will depend if you can get the neighbors around here to say it’s ok.’ Four neighbors said it was ok and seven said it was not ok, so he did not get the house,” said Wyman. “Now, I don’t want to pick on Normal Avenue. That could of been on school street where I live or any other street in Normal.

Wyman’s research also turned up a decision in 1908 by the Miller Park Board to only allow black residents to swim on the east end of Miller Park Lake.

Wyman will give a lecture on the issue. The speech is Sunday at two in the Normal Town Council Chambers.

Terry James can be reached at [email protected].

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