Return to the Land, a planned white-only community in Arkansas, is under legal scrutiny for potentially violating civil rights laws. A new lawsuit filed against the community’s founders will test their claim of legal compliance.
Background of the Community
The development, located on 160 acres in the Ozark Mountains, mandates that its members be both white and heterosexual. This stipulation has drawn accusations of discrimination, as it excludes multiple racial and ethnic groups, along with the LGBTQ+ community.
A Lawsuit Emerges
Michelle Walker from St. Louis became involved after noticing an appealing real estate offer on local news. For $1,000 per acre, the opportunity in a familiar vacation spot intrigued Walker, a real estate broker. However, the community’s restrictive membership criteria barred her application.
In response to her rejection, Walker filed a lawsuit, invoking civil rights legislation established in 1866. Her legal action claims that Return to the Land is breaching laws designed to prevent racial and other forms of discrimination.
Community Details and Plans
The current focus of the community is Ravenden, Arkansas, a town with approximately 400 residents. The developers plan to construct homes, a communal center, and agricultural facilities on the property.
Return to the Land’s founders gained significant media attention last year after announcing ambitious plans to create a network of similar whites-only communities across the country. They explicitly exclude individuals who are Jewish, Black, LGBTQ+, or of non-European descent.
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