In a time when most communities are striving to be more inclusive, a controversial development in Arkansas is doing the opposite—and grabbing national attention for all the wrong reasons.
A group is actively building a whites-only community, and critics say it’s a throwback to a much darker era in American history.
Building a Community Around Segregation
Near the quiet town of Ravenden, Arkansas, construction is already underway on what’s being called “Community1.”
It’s a 160-acre private development that outright bans people of color, Muslims, Jews, LGBTQ+ individuals, and even atheists.
The group behind the project, known as Return to the Land, claims the setup is legal because it’s structured as a private, members-only club rather than a typical real estate development.
The Man Behind the Movement
The group’s president, YouTuber Eric Orwoll, is openly pushing what he calls “identitarianism,” which centers around preserving white European heritage.
According to him, members want to raise their children “around whites,” and see multiculturalism as a threat.
Orwoll says it’s about freedom of association—but critics argue it’s just modern-day racism in disguise.
Can They Really Do This?
Legal experts across the board say no. Despite the “private club” label, federal and state housing laws like the Fair Housing Act of 1968 and the Civil Rights Act of 1866 still apply—especially if the community relies on public utilities or sends kids to public schools.
Several professors and legal minds have called the development’s approach discriminatory, and say it’s unlikely to hold up in court.
Community Values Rooted in Exclusion
The group encourages large white families, home-schooling, traditional gender roles, and openly opposes LGBTQ+ culture.
According to Orwoll, masculinity and femininity are “virtues” that should be preserved.
While he denies organizing any militia, many members own firearms, and the atmosphere is unapologetically anti-diversity.
Critics Speak Out Loud and Clear
Reaction has been fierce, especially online. Civil rights organizations, residents, and social media users are calling the plan “dangerous,” “disgusting,” and “a step backward.”
The Anti-Defamation League issued a statement urging local leaders and law enforcement to take action and prevent this model from spreading.
A History of Hate in the Region
Arkansas isn’t new to racial tensions—this is the same state that once tried to block the Little Rock Nine from attending an integrated school.
Several known hate groups still operate in the area, and activists say this new project only adds fuel to the fire.
More Than Just One Town
What’s perhaps most alarming is that Orwoll doesn’t see this as a one-time project.
His goal is to make Community1 a template—a prototype for whites-only towns to be replicated across rural and urban America.
He believes more white Americans are waking up to what he calls “threats” to their way of life and need places to live among “their own.”
The Political Climate That Enables It
Critics point to the current political landscape, including Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ policies rolling back diversity and equity programs.
They say this environment is giving fringe movements like Return to the Land the confidence to go public.
A Legal and Moral Fight Ahead
Whether the courts will shut down Community1 remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: This development has stirred up strong emotions, deep divisions, and renewed conversations about what kind of country America really wants to be.