INSIGHTS FROM
WRITTEN BY
The racial and social unrest across the United States is permeating the fabric of our homes, schools, workplaces, cities and towns. For many people of color, the highly visible impacts of police brutality and lack of access to safe work and living conditions in COVID-19 are not surprising. The recent unrest has, however, opened the eyes of many white people who consider themselves allies of people of color and want change. For change to happen, the majority must first be aware and then must act.
SEGREGATION AT SCHOOL, WORK AND HOME
One of the biggest obstacles to awareness and learning for even the most well-intentioned white people is perspective. When they are asked how present segregation is in their lives, as Darden Professor Greg Fairchild does in many of his talks, most answers reflect a belief that the world is more integrated than is actually the case. While the country, our cities and towns have become more diverse, they have largely remained segregated in some cases becoming even more so. Those good intentions and conversations about diversity may lead to what Fairchild terms the illusion of inclusion; even if we do not hold bias against each other, our physical and social separation exacerbates existing income, wealth, job and achievement gaps an issue perhaps bigger than individual biases.
In a recent work,Emerging Domestic Markets: How Financial Entrepreneurs Reach Underserved Communities in the United States, Fairchild provides data and perspective that foster awareness.
Fairchild details shocking statistics shared in the report Brownat 50: Kings Dream or Plessys Nightmare? by Gary Orfield and Chungmei Lee. This review of school segregation 50 years after the Supreme Courts Brown vs. Board of Education(1954) decision shows a distinct lack of progress in integrating Black and Latino students; in fact, U.S. schools were found to be increasingly segregated.
Meanwhile, in the workplace, while many companies have for years striven to build more diverse workforces, they are becoming more segregated, and less inclusive. TheAmerican Sociological Reviewpublished a paper, Documenting Desegregation: Segregation in American Workplaces by Race, Ethnicity and Sex, 19662003, that concluded: Most strikingly, black-white workplace desegregation essentially stops after 1980. there is also some disturbing evidence of resegregation after 1995 in old economy sectors.
Further, Fairchild cites a 1999 paper by leading economists David Cutler, Edward Glaeser and Jacob Vigdor, The Rise and Decline of the American Ghetto, analyzing the degree of segregation in the U.S. over the course of a century (18901990). These authors offer a conclusion about segregation over the last 100 years many would find surprising: We find evidence that the mechanism sustaining segregation has changed, they write. In the mid-20th century, segregation was a product of collective actions taken by whites to exclude Blacks from their neighborhoods. By 1990, the legal barriers enforcing segregation had been replaced by decentralized racism, where whites pay more than Blacks to live in predominantly white areas.
Fairchild highlights the fact that residential segregation continued to characterize our neighborhoods even after the Fair Housing Act of 1968. Citing Douglas Massey and Nancy DentonsAmerican Apartheid: Segregation and the Making of the Underclass,he summarizes the comprehensive, disturbing case that residential segregation was not only durable across the United States, but that it continueed to play a strong role in income, wealth inequality and educational achievement gaps. Massey and Denton shared that American levels of segregation were only comparable to one nation in modern history: South Africa under apartheid. In a 2015 study, Massey and co-author Jonathan Tannen studied hypersegregation the phenomenon of a group proving highly segregated in four out of five geographic determinates of segregation in metropolitan areas from 1970 to 2010. Though the number of hypsersegregated areas declined, over the course of those 40 years thedegreeof segregation barely changed. And as late as 2010, hypersegregated areas held approximately one-third of all Black metropolitan residents.
LACK OF PREJUDICE DOES NOT MEAN WEALTH OF OPPORTUNITY
Fairchilds own research quantifies the burden of growing up in residentially segregated neighborhoods, schools and workplaces. His analyses illustrate that even as adults, growing up in a segregated neighborhood tends to be associated with less success in the job market, mostly because of being cut off from the personal referral networks that drive most jobs.
Fairchild explains that for so many years, we have built our discussions and efforts under the assumption that the reduction of individual prejudice would lead to equality of opportunity. Perhaps we forgot about the physical and social space between us?
Here is where white people who consider themselves allies of people of color should take specific note: If persistently high levels of segregation are left unchecked, we should anticipate rising inequality across groupswithoutwhat we often think of as racial or ethnic prejudice. In overcoming the cycle of segregation and its effects, it is not enough to passively hope for change. Allies may consider questions about their daily lives:
INTERGROUP CONTACT
Theres an age old social science theory that provided the basis for inspiring Fairchilds interest in studying these factors: Gordon Allports Intergroup Contact Hypothesis, developed and presented in his bookThe Nature of Prejudice(1954).Allports proposition was that an ingroup members level of prejudice toward outgroup members is inversely correlated with the degree of contact that someone has with that group (i.e., white people will have lower prejudice if they have more contact with Black people of similar social status). Increased opportunities for interaction would allow individuals to test their stereotypes, and over time they would find their stereotypes hollow. Fairchild saw echoes in the arguments made around that same time (mid-1950s) by the Brown vs. Board of Education plaintiffs regarding educational segregation. Enforced and rigid barriers to intergroup relations, they argued, were demonstrably damaging to Black children. Continued segregation would sustain existing negative prejudices and stall the social progress of Black children. This contributes to what Fairchild terms inequality without bias.
So, what can we do about segregation? Studies show that in contemporary America, relatively few would suggest it is a social good. In the past, weve taken the approach that government policy should address these matters. Perhaps weve learned that those efforts are necessary and yet insufficient. How are we willing to address the space between us in our own lives? If we agree that segregation exacerbates stereotypes, creates social distance, and even diminishes the income and life expectancy of others, how can we rectify it? What personal steps can we take to integrate our neighborhoods, schools and workplaces? And yes, even our personal lives? Fairchild argues that without intentional efforts, we cannot expect these conditions to change and we should anticipate future social unrest.
Read more:
Segregation in 2020: Why Arent We Moving Forward? - Newswise
- Twin Oaks Intentional Community - Twin Oaks Intentional ... - December 8th, 2016 [December 8th, 2016]
- The Camphill Assocation of North America Communities - December 9th, 2016 [December 9th, 2016]
- Cohousing - Wikipedia - December 11th, 2016 [December 11th, 2016]
- Communes: the pros & cons of intentional community ... - December 21st, 2016 [December 21st, 2016]
- Jewish Intentional Communities Conference - Hazon - December 25th, 2016 [December 25th, 2016]
- Common Fire Beacon-Newburgh | Creating diverse ... - January 2nd, 2017 [January 2nd, 2017]
- Intentional Housing Communities | www.hampshire.edu - February 5th, 2017 [February 5th, 2017]
- A First Gen Lawyer-Turned-Entrepreneur Pioneers New Standards for College Freshmen - Huffington Post - February 7th, 2017 [February 7th, 2017]
- Disparities in minority unemployment targeted by Iowa officials - DesMoinesRegister.com - February 7th, 2017 [February 7th, 2017]
- ACE program benefits low-income communities - Observer Online - February 7th, 2017 [February 7th, 2017]
- Want a happy old age? Get your friends to be your neighbours - Independent Online - February 7th, 2017 [February 7th, 2017]
- Coalition Calls Itself The 'Eyes, Ears & Voice' Of Pittsburgh's Black Community - 90.5 WESA - February 7th, 2017 [February 7th, 2017]
- 'A community remembers' coming to Hesston - Butler County Times Gazette - February 7th, 2017 [February 7th, 2017]
- Krista Tippett February 01, 2017 - America Magazine - February 7th, 2017 [February 7th, 2017]
- Serving the most diverse urban area on the planet - New York Nonprofit Media - February 8th, 2017 [February 8th, 2017]
- To truly serve the public, community stations must apply standards for what's said on-air - Current - February 8th, 2017 [February 8th, 2017]
- Here's what went down at the NYC launch of Ashley Biden's charitable clothing line - Technical.ly - February 9th, 2017 [February 9th, 2017]
- Appalachian's Alternative Service Experience among nation's top 10 higher education institutions for number of programs - Appalachian State University - February 9th, 2017 [February 9th, 2017]
- Pastor: We must build bridges between police and local black communities - Fort Worth Star Telegram (blog) - February 9th, 2017 [February 9th, 2017]
- Chris Wood: Now more than ever localize! - vtdigger.org - February 10th, 2017 [February 10th, 2017]
- A Business Plan for Healthy Communities - Hospitals & Health Networks - February 10th, 2017 [February 10th, 2017]
- The Death of the Ski Bum and Intentional Tourism - The Catalyst - February 11th, 2017 [February 11th, 2017]
- Heroin hits home: Highways provide "easy access" for drug trafficking in Franklin County - Herald-Mail Media - February 11th, 2017 [February 11th, 2017]
- How Anarchists and Intentional Communities Are Reacting to ... - February 11th, 2017 [February 11th, 2017]
- Ohio Continues with Next Phase of InsideOut Initiative to Combat Win-at-All Costs Sports Mentality - Norwalk Reflector - February 13th, 2017 [February 13th, 2017]
- Microsoft Executives to Keynote Summit EMEA 2017 Conference - Yahoo Finance - February 13th, 2017 [February 13th, 2017]
- Marnita's Table set for Wednesday - Daily Globe - February 14th, 2017 [February 14th, 2017]
- David Littlewood, guest columnist: Time to repeal Dodd-Frank Act and free up our community banks - Waco Tribune-Herald - February 15th, 2017 [February 15th, 2017]
- Ithaca organization encourages people to participate in National Random Acts of Kindness Week - The Ithaca Voice - February 15th, 2017 [February 15th, 2017]
- Portland groups form coalition to eradicate hate - KOIN.com - February 15th, 2017 [February 15th, 2017]
- Nash says 'there's more to do' on diversity at State of the County address - Gwinnettdailypost.com - February 16th, 2017 [February 16th, 2017]
- Anson County community meeting to fight poverty planned for Feb. 18 - Ansonrecord - February 16th, 2017 [February 16th, 2017]
- Spreading the Faith: Moving Coins and Moving Communities - Patheos (blog) - February 17th, 2017 [February 17th, 2017]
- If It Walks Like a Duck - ChicagoNow (blog) - February 18th, 2017 [February 18th, 2017]
- Immigrant Round-ups Stir Fears - Consortium News - February 18th, 2017 [February 18th, 2017]
- Pace: What Should I Give Up This Year? - Covington News - February 20th, 2017 [February 20th, 2017]
- J Mase III of #BlackTransMagick seeks to redistribute resources - Daily Illini - February 20th, 2017 [February 20th, 2017]
- South Side getting trauma center, but it'll be far more than just an emergency room - Fox 32 Chicago - February 21st, 2017 [February 21st, 2017]
- St. Louis Park cohousing community welcomes home all ages - Minneapolis Star Tribune - February 22nd, 2017 [February 22nd, 2017]
- The Benedict Option and Rod Dreher's LGBT Challenge - The Atlantic - The Atlantic - February 23rd, 2017 [February 23rd, 2017]
- Mark Sundeen looks for a better way to live - Missoula Independent - February 23rd, 2017 [February 23rd, 2017]
- Cohousing communities gain popularity, including here in Nashville - WKRN.com - February 24th, 2017 [February 24th, 2017]
- The Christian Retreat From Public Life - The Atlantic - February 24th, 2017 [February 24th, 2017]
- New senior living community eyeing Waxahachie - Waxahachie Daily Light - February 24th, 2017 [February 24th, 2017]
- Better health needs a diverse workforce - Greenville Daily Reflector - February 25th, 2017 [February 25th, 2017]
- Businesses: State needs more immigrants - Mankato Free Press - February 25th, 2017 [February 25th, 2017]
- Cohousing communities gain popularity - WDTN - February 25th, 2017 [February 25th, 2017]
- Letters: Dismiss Schimel, others for maps - The Sheboygan Press - February 28th, 2017 [February 28th, 2017]
- Drums, Voices, and Circles - Memphis Democrat - March 1st, 2017 [March 1st, 2017]
- Food: Four Short Talks brings community to the table - Dailyuw - March 2nd, 2017 [March 2nd, 2017]
- Family School rebuts report on lack of diversity - Coastal View News - March 2nd, 2017 [March 2nd, 2017]
- The Wall Street Journal explores trends in Christian community life sort of - GetReligion (blog) - March 2nd, 2017 [March 2nd, 2017]
- Renting land to highest bidder stumbling block for young people looking to start in agriculture - INFORUM - March 3rd, 2017 [March 3rd, 2017]
- Transportation/Traveling While Living Off Grid - Mother Earth News - March 4th, 2017 [March 4th, 2017]
- New School Board President Believes Schools Belong to Communities - The Exponent Telegram (press release) (registration) - March 6th, 2017 [March 6th, 2017]
- Worcester's retiree health costs 'unsustainable' - telegram.com - Worcester Telegram - March 7th, 2017 [March 7th, 2017]
- 12 on Tuesday: Leslie Orrantia - WISC - Channel 3000 - Channel3000.com - WISC-TV3 - March 8th, 2017 [March 8th, 2017]
- By walking the beat, Kalamazoo officers nurture genuine ... - Michigan Radio - March 8th, 2017 [March 8th, 2017]
- Sometimes the Grass Really is Greener - Memphis Democrat - March 8th, 2017 [March 8th, 2017]
- Is Clallam opening the door to tiny houses? | Sequim Gazette - Sequim Gazette - March 8th, 2017 [March 8th, 2017]
- New St. Paul police program aims to mentor recruits - Minneapolis Star Tribune - March 9th, 2017 [March 9th, 2017]
- A New Kind of Homeless Village is Coming to Kenton. It's a Big Deal. - The Portland Mercury (blog) - March 10th, 2017 [March 10th, 2017]
- Why We Need the Benedict Option and How It Doesn't Have to ... - Patheos (blog) - March 10th, 2017 [March 10th, 2017]
- National Expert Shares Thoughts on Environmental Justice - WUWM - March 11th, 2017 [March 11th, 2017]
- The Promise of Paradise features area - 100 Mile House Free Press - March 12th, 2017 [March 12th, 2017]
- Speak out about your experiences - Hibbing Daily Tribune - March 12th, 2017 [March 12th, 2017]
- Trust comes in several varieties - Muncie Star Press - April 8th, 2017 [April 8th, 2017]
- Intentional neighborhoods take root across country - LancasterOnline - April 8th, 2017 [April 8th, 2017]
- my family did the benedict option before it was cool and here's why it doesn't work - Patheos (blog) - April 8th, 2017 [April 8th, 2017]
- Saint Benedict's Mandate - Patheos (blog) - April 8th, 2017 [April 8th, 2017]
- Cohousing Part I: Creating community and reducing social isolation - Michigan State University Extension - April 8th, 2017 [April 8th, 2017]
- Searching for a greater interfaith understanding - Seattle Globalist - June 6th, 2017 [June 6th, 2017]
- The fight for affordable housing in Jefferson Park continues - Chicago Tribune - June 6th, 2017 [June 6th, 2017]
- A 'Justin Option'? Justin Martyr and the Ben-Op - National Catholic Register (blog) - June 6th, 2017 [June 6th, 2017]
- The Groves of Academe: On Keep the Damned Women Out - lareviewofbooks - June 6th, 2017 [June 6th, 2017]
- Curating Community through Intentional Placemaking - Urban Land - June 6th, 2017 [June 6th, 2017]
- Local ties: New tailgate market locations highlight business and community connections - Mountain Xpress - June 7th, 2017 [June 7th, 2017]
- How Power Street Theatre Company is taking on representation in the arts - Generocity - June 7th, 2017 [June 7th, 2017]
- Open house will celebrate Folk Art Guild's 50 years - News - The ... - Penn Yan Chronicle-Express (blog) - June 7th, 2017 [June 7th, 2017]
- Archbishop: In 'post-Christian world' fidelity, charity, truth stand out - CatholicPhilly.com - June 7th, 2017 [June 7th, 2017]