BALTIMORE — The “Spite Wall” came crumbling down this morning near Morgan State University.
Constructed in the 1930s, the wall was recognized as a barrier of residential segregation for African Americans.
"It just speaks to the way the community has changed and progressed and moved forward. I’m thankful that some of the road blocks that used to be in the way have kind of fallen down. We still have a long way to go, but opportunity is here," Megan Lathan, owner of Beauty Plus, Beauty Supply, said.
The wall separated students from the community and the shopping plaza.
"A part of that past of course was not too glorious and a remnant of that past is behind me, a red brick wall," Dr. David Wilson, president of Morgan State University said.
Despite slavery in Maryland being abolished in 1864, there were still laws restricting where Black citizens could live.
"What was labeled a spite wall, a hate wall, to prevent Morgan State University students from simply walking across the street into the all white neighborhood and to shop at an all white shopping center here," Wilson added.
A portion of land Morgan now sits on was purchased in 1917 over the objection of neighbors.
"The Morgan students that were fighting to be in the shopping center, they would’ve never imagined the day that will come where Black owners, and Black store owners would be here," Lathan said.
It's said one purpose of the wall was to block those neighbors from seeing African Americans in the community.
The last remaining portion of the wall torn down Tuesday, was situated on Hillen Road by where the old Read's Drug Store stood.
During the 1960s, Morgan students staged sit-ins at the location.
The tearing down of the wall was celebrated during an event held by university president David Wilson and other officials.
"It feels almost like a poetic justice. I feel like the literal and physical wall being put up to prevent Black people from shopping here and thriving here is coming down," Lathan said. "It’s a full circle moment for the community and for the University.
