WHITE FLIGHT...
THEIR GOES THE NEIGHBORHOOD!
Mount Rushmore stands as one of America’s most iconic monuments, a carved tribute to four presidents who shaped the nation’s identity—George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln. But what happens when the face of change, the face of progress, gets added to that lineup?
In my this illustration, White Flight: There Goes the Neighborhood, I depict Mount Rushmore with an additional figure—former President Barack Obama—positioned next to Abraham Lincoln. Above, the caption reads:
"George, Thomas, Abraham—we have to really relocate as quickly as we can now. There goes the neighborhood."
While this piece is satirical, it speaks to a harsh reality that has played out across America for generations. The phenomenon of white flight—where white residents abandon neighborhoods at the first sign of Black or nonwhite families moving in—has reshaped American cities and reinforced systemic segregation. This isn’t just history; it’s an ongoing reality.
But let’s break this all down, from the history of white flight to the deeper irony of Barack Obama’s place among the faces of America’s so-called “founding fathers.”
The History of White Flight
The term white flight refers to the mass exodus of white residents from urban neighborhoods when Black families move in. While commonly associated with the mid-20th century, the roots of white flight go much deeper.
Post-World War II and the Rise of the Suburbs
After World War II, returning white soldiers were given access to government programs like the GI Bill, which provided low-interest home loans, education grants, and job opportunities. But these benefits were largely denied to Black veterans due to racist lending practices and housing discrimination.
At the same time, redlining, a government-backed practice that labeled Black neighborhoods as “high-risk” for investment, made it nearly impossible for Black families to secure mortgages in many areas. When some Black families were finally able to move into white-dominated neighborhoods, panic set in.
Blockbusting and Manufactured Panic
Real estate agents actively encouraged white flight by engaging in blockbusting—tactics that included warning white homeowners that Black families were moving in, driving down property values, and pressuring them to sell their homes at a loss. These same agents would then sell those homes to Black families at inflated prices, trapping them in cycles of debt and economic struggle.
The result? Once-thriving urban centers were abandoned by white residents, taking tax dollars, businesses, and investment with them. Black families, who were promised a better life, were instead left with underfunded schools, crumbling infrastructure, and a new form of segregation—economic isolation.
The Modern Version of White Flight
Today, white flight isn’t just about neighborhoods—it happens on a larger scale. Look at cities like Detroit, Chicago, and St. Louis, where white populations have steadily declined, leaving behind economically devastated Black communities.
Even more recently, we've seen "digital white flight", where white Americans abandon social media platforms, online communities, or workplaces the moment Black voices become dominant or assertive. This same mindset still operates on a psychological level—the fear that Black presence equals decline.
Mount Rushmore and the Legacy of "Great" Men
Let’s talk about the faces on Mount Rushmore. The men carved into that mountain represent contradictions in American history—leaders praised for democracy and progress, yet deeply entangled in racism, imperialism, and white supremacy.
George Washington – Slave owner.
Thomas Jefferson – Slave owner and architect of policies that expanded slavery.
Theodore Roosevelt – Advocated for white dominance and called Native Americans "savages."
Abraham Lincoln – While he "freed the slaves," he also considered deporting Black Americans to Africa or South America.
Now, I add Barack Obama to this lineup. A president who—despite his historic election—was met with racist backlash, obstruction, and deep divisions from the moment he stepped into office. The idea that his presence among these "great men" would spark immediate white flight is both hilarious and brutally accurate.
Bloodlines and the Illusion of Democracy
Now here’s an interesting twist—many U.S. presidents are related by blood. It’s been widely reported that most American presidents share common ancestors, tracing back to European royalty. Even Barack Obama, the first Black president, has documented ancestral ties to several past U.S. presidents.
Some of Obama's notable relatives include:
George W. Bush (distant cousin)
Dick Cheney (distant cousin)
James Madison (distant cousin)
This raises an important question: If the highest office in the country is so often occupied by people from the same bloodline, is democracy really about choice? Or is it an extension of aristocratic rule under a different name?
For Black Americans, this revelation reinforces the reality that America was never built for us. It was built by us, but never for us. Even Obama’s election didn’t shatter that system—it just made it more obvious how deeply controlled it is.
Barack Obama: The Carefully Packaged Candidate
While Obama’s presidency was historic, let’s be real—he was never a true representation of the Black American struggle.
1. His Background
Obama’s father was a Kenyan economist, and his stepfather was an Indonesian businessman.
He was raised in Hawaii and Indonesia, far removed from the systemic racism that Black Americans endure daily.
He attended elite schools (Punahou School, Columbia University, Harvard Law).
2. The Myth of the Grassroots Activist
During his campaign, Obama was portrayed as a "community organizer," fighting for the poor.
But let’s not forget—his political career was backed by powerful white elites from the start.
3. His Presidency and Black America
While Obama inspired hope, his presidency did little to improve the material conditions of Black Americans.
The wealth gap between Black and white Americans widened under his leadership.
He often distanced himself from Black issues, fearing it would alienate white voters.
In other words, Obama was an acceptable Black president because he wasn’t “too Black.” His success didn’t challenge white power—it reinforced it.
The Deeper Message of "White Flight"
When I created this illustration, I wanted to capture the absurdity of white panic in the face of Black presence. Whether it’s in neighborhoods, workplaces, media, or even history itself, there’s a deeply ingrained fear that Black people will somehow bring destruction.
But here’s the truth:
Black people don’t ruin neighborhoods—systemic racism does.
We don’t lower property values—racist policies do.
We don’t cause decline—disinvestment and segregation do.
This country was built on our labor, yet we are treated as outsiders. White flight is proof that for many, America is only "America" when it's white.
So if adding Obama to Mount Rushmore is enough to make these “founding fathers” pack their bags and run—well, maybe it’s time we stop chasing validation from a system that was never meant to include us in the first place.
There goes the neighborhood?
No. There goes the illusion of white superiority.