[….]
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A “whites only” community says they are looking at coming to the Springfield area.

The group, called Return to the Land (RTTL), did not specify where in the Springfield area they were looking to potentially locate.

[….]

According to RTTL’s website, they are a private member association exclusively made for white people. Jewish people are also barred from membership. [….]

Yesterday:

City of Springfield, MO
[July 29, 2025]

The Springfield City Council and City Manager David Cameron have been made aware of media reports regarding a group calling itself “Return to the Land” and its alleged proposal to create a “whites-only” enclave in the Springfield area. While no one from this group has contacted the City directly, we want to state in the strongest possible terms: there is no place in Springfield, or anywhere, for such a divisive and discriminatory vision.

Efforts to create developments based on racial exclusion are not only contrary to our laws, it also runs counter to the spirit of who we are and who we aspire to be. Segregationist thinking has no place in our city’s present or future.

While it is improbable that such a project could legally or practically occur within city limits, silence is not an option. As a regional leader, we will not stand idly by in the face of attempts to revive outdated, harmful ideologies. Springfield moves forward by bridging differences, fostering belonging, and building a stronger, more united community for all.
[….]

Some of the responses:

I appreciate your visibility and loud denunciation of this group. Thank you for taking a stand.

Easily the best thing y’all have said all year. Diversity is one of the most beautiful things we can ever embrace as human beings.

I think this statement is a good first step. It would be helpful for the city to demonstrate exactly how they are “bridging differences, fostering belonging, and building a stronger united community.” What actions are being taken to meet those goals, and what data do you have to show growth in those areas?

Thank you for stepping up leaders. There is absolutely NO place in Springfield, Greene County, Missouri, or this great nation for racially motivated groups who isolate themselves and segregate against others, regardless of what ethnicity they fall under. We MUST get past this racial divide. It says more about the individual who hates than it does about the group that is hated. Introspect leads to respect.

but there is lots of room in springfield for classism…. which is one of the leading causes of racism. gotta keep someone on the bottom and its easy when you divide people & other them.
anyways….. cant say you are anti-racist while supporting classism. just remember that

Why do you believe that “classism” exists?
How are these ”classes” created?
What’s really preventing anyone from reaching any level of “class” they desire to reach?
Aren’t there many races included in this “classism” that’s thrown around often?
If you’re not where you want to be, you have the power to change that. There’s no one holding anyone back except the individuals themselves. Some have to work harder than others to get there, but the opportunities are there.
The people who seem to love to camp out on terms like “classism” as excuses for their current state are the same ones who complain when others succeed in spite of their circumstances. They celebrate a success story, for a short time, then expect the successful to bow down to those who refuse to grow themselves out of their mental state of scarcity. The same ones who when given the chance would otherwise complain that it wasn’t enough or that it should be made easier for them to achieve. Anything worthwhile will always be uphill. Consider the hills the successful had to climb, and the hills they continue to climb.
If you’re not happy with where you are in life, don’t blame “classism”, blame the person in the mirror. I personally know many people from around the world who have come from a long line of nothing to achieve greatness and massive success. They didn’t stay in a scarcity state of mind or inabilities. They believed themselves capable of abundance and potential! And they worked hard to get there. Some of them are now motivational speakers and authors. If they can, you can, others can. My personal story is a testament to this truth as well, which I won’t go into here, but is in the book I’m writing and the speeches I have given.

pretending that every single person who works hard “makes it” is a really ignorant viewpoint. but clearly you have been someone to benefit from people being “less than you” so there isnt an argument to be had.
you see how you instantly reduced my life to one of “scarcity” and “not working hard” – when that isnt my life at all.
the truth is america is set up to cheer on the people who have worked the least – who have the most generational wealth, while telling people who literally do not have access to better jobs or opportunities (lest they risk their life many times over – like i had to to gain opportunities) that they need to “work harder” while someone is profiting off their work and they dont get paid enough for food or shelter…..
poor people DO WORK HARD. and that is the problem with classism. classist people like you* refuse to recognize that our society point blank screws people over.
typical white male who cant admit any privilege.
funny how i can admit i have privilege just because i was able to get a car to start working at 16 – an opportunity lot of teens dont have, who are stuck in abusive homes – who then get released into an abusive, classist society that doesnt value labor and doesnt have a government to protect people from corporations. – but you think you just “wOrkEd HarDer than everyone else”

Glad to see this statement. I was concerned that silence was all we would hear.

Ya know, Springfield, I like you sometimes.

This is the only correct statement. Bravo!

Thank you for addressing this. I hope you do everything you can to make Springfield diverse and inclusive.

Good job, Springfield

Thank you for making a statement

Appreciate the proactive & definitive statement!

Thank you for this statement! I had every confidence this would be the City’s response but am so happy to see it!

Yes!! The absolute right stance to take!!!

Thank you for speaking out and letting others know where our community stands on this matter! United We Stand! #diversitymatters

Springfield still has a LOOOONG way to go in mitigating racial & socioeconomic tensions, inequality & disparity..but this is definitely a step in the right direction.

slamming the door in the face of ignorant groups like this is definitely the correct response. I bet they put ketchup on their steaks.

Thank you for issuing a formal, strongly worded statement. At the very least, we know where our city leaders stand in the matter and that makes a difference.

Thank you so much for this strong statement in opposition to this “Return to the Land” endeavor. I appreciate the City speaking out on this!

Thank you for not staying silent on this matter!

This was an important post. Let’s continue the words with actions. I was horrified to read Springfield is in their sights, I want a hometown that’s inclusive and thriving with kindness.

Thank you for standing up for what is right. I say, if they want this so badly, they can all go far away and form their own little bigoted community island and stop spreading hate.

Excellent model for speaking against hate for our city! Well done.

Better than Kehoe who declined to make such a statement.

Thank you for standing up for the city we all love and the folks who all make it what it is.

Thank you for issuing this statement. Give the times we’re are living any voice calling for unity and non discrimination is very welcome.

This statement makes me proud to be born, raised, and residing in Springfield. Thank you for being true leaders! Thank you for standing up for what is right!

And on.