Black-white integration was in the early stages on her street, home predominantly to whites and a handful of blacks. Fast-forward to 2001. Home values are appreciating. The yards are well-maintained.
City services remain strong.
And the crime rate has dropped. But Dekhou's white neighbors are gone, replaced primarily by blacks. Her daughter is one of few white children attending the neighborhood elementary. Dekhou acknowledges some discomfort and is ready to leave. She'll soon be counted among the 21,000 whites who've left the city since 1990.