The Progressive Fortress: How Boston's Liberal Suburbs Built America's Most Effective Segregation System

Greater Boston's progressive suburbs vote 80%+ Democratic while maintaining exclusionary zoning that effectively bars Black and Hispanic families through $2M+ entry fees. The 'Big Downzone' of 1968-1975—enacted during the busing crisis—created structural segregation more effective than overt racism because it's legally enforceable. Understanding this system helps buyers recognize which towns maintain exclusion by design versus genuine integration efforts.

Homebuyers evaluating Greater Boston towns, families seeking diverse communities, anyone wondering why progressive towns remain so segregated, buyers choosing between 'excellent' school districts, people trying to understand the MBTA Communities Act resistance.

• •Progressive voting ≠ inclusive housing—many deep-blue towns maintain exclusionary zoning
• •The 'Big Downzone' (1968-1975) banned multifamily housing during the busing crisis
• •Minimum lot sizes requiring $2M+ effectively exclude most Black/Hispanic families
• •MBTA Communities Act resistance reveals the gap between progressive rhetoric and practice
• •School district 'excellence' often correlates with racial exclusion, not just wealth
• •Structural racism persists through policy, not just individual prejudice