Current:Home > ScamsOne of America's last Gullah Geechee communities at risk following revamped zoning laws-LoTradeCoin
One of America's last Gullah Geechee communities at risk following revamped zoning laws
View Date:2024-12-23 15:31:21
Sapelo Island, Georgia — Sapelo Island is deeply rooted in West African Gullah Geechee culture.
Forty-four families, all formerly enslaved people with Gullah Geechee heritage, settled on the Georgia island after the Civil War.
Among the descendants living there today is Nikki Williams.
"This is the closest thing you can get to being in Africa," Williams told CBS News.
The Sapelo Island community of Hog Hammock is a little more than 400 acres in size and has fewer than 30 full-time families. There is no main street, just scattered homes. Scattered, just like more and more of the original families of this historic enclave.
In September, the McIntosh County Commission changed Sapelo Island's zoning laws so that home sizes can double. That move could potentially lead to million-dollar properties, raise property taxes and price out current homeowners.
"They have an extreme uphill battle," said McIntosh County Commissioner Roger Lotson — one of only two commissioners who voted against the new zoning laws.
Lotson was the only commissioner who agreed to talk to CBS News. He sees the situation "in part" as a battle of rich versus poor.
He also believes racial disparity could play a role as well, "Simply because there are not as many rich Black folks as there are rich White folks."
It means one of America's last intact Gullah Geechee communities is at risk.
"I can't see how you can't see how that hurts," Williams said. "And it's not just me. It's all of the descendants."
A community born in blood and tears is now sweating out its future.
- In:
- Georgia
Mark Strassmann has been a CBS News correspondent since January 2001 and is based in the Atlanta bureau.
veryGood! (87616)
Related
- Why Kathy Bates Decided Against Reconstruction Surgery After Double Mastectomy for Breast Cancer
- Federal appeals court halts Missouri execution, leading state to appeal
- Heirloom corn in a rainbow of colors makes a comeback in Mexico, where white corn has long been king
- Michael K. Williams' nephew urges compassion for defendant at sentencing related to actor's death
- Monument erected in Tulsa for victims of 1921 Race Massacre
- 'Haunted Mansion' review: Don't expect a ton of chills in Disney's safe ghost ride
- Judge rejects U.S. asylum restrictions, jeopardizing Biden policy aimed at deterring illegal border crossings
- Biden’s dog Commander has bitten Secret Service officers 10 times in four months, records show
- Kevin Costner Shares His Honest Reaction to John Dutton's Controversial Fate on Yellowstone
- Hundreds evacuated after teen girl sets fire to hotel sofa following fight with mom
Ranking
- Cruise ship rescues 4 from disabled catamaran hundreds of miles off Bermuda, officials say
- Teachers union sues state education department over race education restrictions
- It's hot out there. A new analysis shows it's much worse if you're in a city
- A Fed still wary of inflation is set to raise rates to a 22-year peak. Will it be the last hike?
- Olivia Culpo Celebrates Christian McCaffrey's NFL Comeback Alongside Mother-in-Law
- ‘Our own front line’: Ukrainian surgeons see wave of wounded soldiers since counteroffensive began
- 'Jeopardy!' champs to boycott in solidarity with WGA strike: 'I can't be a part of that'
- Shark Tank's Daymond John gets restraining order against former show contestants
Recommendation
-
Fantasy football Week 11: Trade value chart and rest of season rankings
-
Blake Lively Hops Over Rope at Kensington Palace to Fix Met Gala Dress Display
-
Trump’s Former Head of the EPA Has Been a Quiet Contributor to Virginia’s Exit From RGGI
-
The biggest big-box store yet? Fresno Costco business center will be company's largest store
-
The View's Sara Haines Walks Off After Whoopi Goldberg's NSFW Confession
-
Trump ally Bernard Kerik turned over documents to special counsel investigating events surrounding Jan. 6
-
Police end search of Gilgo Beach murder suspect's home after seizing massive amount of material
-
Prosecutors charge woman who drove into Green Bay building with reckless driving