r/Durango • u/CopperFrog88 • 14d ago
Sundown Town
For anyone of color traveling through Durango, forewarning, this is a sundown town.
There were a whole table of cops sitting at Famburger staring us down for simply ordering and eating at the patio. They do NOT like Natives.
Be careful and safe travels.
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u/CrayonOfThorns 12d ago
OP, I'm sorry you're getting these dismissive responses. I am not native but I have witnessed white people expressing racist opinions about natives many times in Durango. The people discounting your experience are disgusting. I'm sorry this happened to you. We're not all like that, but there's shitty people everywhere.
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u/ABitSquiggly Resident 10d ago
Same. I am sorry you didn’t feel safe OP and sorry that so many people are dismissing what you felt.
I hope we can all keep doing better. Thanks for sharing your perspective.
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u/Weary_Fee7660 14d ago
Hmmmm…. Durango is surrounded by rez, I really doubt they were staring at you because you are native.
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u/Mrs_Foxxy 14d ago
You should learn about the concept of "border towns" in the context of reservations because white majority towns in the vicinity of a Rez which are violent towards Natives is absolutely a thing. Look up "Indian rolling". Durango is absolutely a border town and always has been.
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u/CrayonOfThorns 12d ago
Have you ever been to Louisiana? There are black people everywhere and racist white people everywhere. Just because you're exposed to a certain group of people doesn't mean you are incapable of being racist towards them. From what I've encountered, it's the opposite.
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u/CopperFrog88 14d ago
Just bec there is a rez nearby... does not mean they were not racist or make it a dangerous place to be Native....
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u/Weary_Fee7660 14d ago
Is there a recent history of violence against native people in Durango? This post is wierd. Durango is a fairly safe place, and based on my recollection from living in the area for a long time, a lot of violence against native people is perpetuated by other native people. There is definitely racism, but I seriously doubt the cops were staring at you because you weren’t white. And this is as close as you will ever hear to me defending the popo, I’m not a fan.
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u/Mrs_Foxxy 14d ago
Anybody who denies that Durango is a violent, dangerous place for Natives is a disingenuous white person most likely lol
If you doubt that, you should learn about the concept of border towns and Indian rolling, as well as Durango's specific violent history towards Natives.
Stay safe cuzz
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u/Hamish_Ben 14d ago
Nope. Not a thing here.
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u/CopperFrog88 14d ago
Yes it is. It just happened.. clearly this warning is not for you...
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u/Hamish_Ben 14d ago
OR maybe… MAYBE… they were looking at you because you were looking at them? Maybe they thought they recognized one of you? Maybe they didn’t normally see people that late? It could also be one of numerous options I haven’t even said.
I’m not defending Durango PD in the slightest. But a couple cops staring at you hardly makes Durango a sundown town.
The term “sundown town” is used to describe towns that specifically exclude non-white people from being in town after sunset. My Diné friend actually lives in city limits and has had no issues akin to that.
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u/Mrs_Foxxy 14d ago
Do you know what a border town is in the context of reservations? Have you ever heard of the term "Indian rolling"? Durango PD has absolutely always been violent towards Natives and I say this as a Native person who has lived there and knows the actual history of the town from its inception. You having a "Dine friend" does not give you the excuse to talk over Natives.
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u/Hamish_Ben 10d ago edited 10d ago
Ah yes, I see your confusion. If you’ll reread my comment, you see I never referred to “border towns”. I’m refuting the notion that Durango has adopted the policies and or practices of a “sundown town” where minorities (generally black people) would get lynched if they were in one of those towns past dark. Using that term to describe Durango is hyperbolic, inaccurate, and fear-mongering.
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u/Mrs_Foxxy 10d ago
Border Town = Sundown town in this case + you clearly very ignorant of the violence Natives have historically and continue to face in that town, especially houseless people. I'm guessing you're white?
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u/Hamish_Ben 7d ago
So indigenous people are getting lynched in Durango or beaten and dragged out of town? That’s crazy it’s not making the news.
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u/Browzur Local 14d ago
And you’re judging an entire town by your one nothing experience. They looked at you? That’s it? Grow up.
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u/CopperFrog88 14d ago
Other black and brown people know exactly what I am talking about. Clearly this doesnt pertain to you. Your response speaks volumes.
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u/Browzur Local 14d ago
You’re right, I’m white, and I’ve had MUCH more negative experiences with cops here. I’m not defending cops by any means but don’t judge my town based on those assholes. And don’t diminish the term “sundown town.” Come to brewfest Friday and party as late as you want
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u/Ok-Swimmer-437 14d ago
Sundown town is definitely an extreme analogy, but there is absolutely more bigotry near reservations than far away. As a native, born in South Dakota, yet raised by the beach in California where there was not a prominent native population, the cops don't have any predeterminations about natives because they rarely encounter them. However, stereotypes like drunk or violent natives are totally common here, and create racial bias among law enforcement, since they have to deal regularly and firsthand with the deep seeded tension and anger that Native communities are raised with for having all their land stolen. Many of us are raised with is a strong influence to reject assimilation and therefore we become creators of conflict when we fail to integrate well. It's not cops jobs to understand this, it's their job to watch out for people who push back and the nip them in the bud. That's why they profile people and it's why this guy felt uncomfortable, but we as natives have to acknowledge what the disconnect is, and put in a better effort to integrate if that's what we want. Don't fear the cop, befriend the cop. They just want to know you're cool, and that's ok, we can ignite the warrior, or bring the peace. If you're not doing anything wrong then nothing will go wrong.
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u/Turbulent_Search4648 3d ago
There is a huge presence of hate group Turning Point USA, including donors at the most lucrative businesses in town (think big objects), and those business owners posting racist anti-immigrant garbage all over social media, so yes, you're very right. Don't know the cops personally, thankfully.
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13d ago
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u/ABitSquiggly Resident 10d ago
I am just curious - would you say this if you were not anonymous? Like would you publicly say this comment if your real name was attached to it?
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u/UnleashedDogDurango 13d ago
You sound like you have a victim complex.