Residential Segregation (mostly from Massey and Denton, American Aparthied, 1993)

I.Massey and Denton claim: Blacks only ethnic/racial group to be ghettoized in U.S.

A. Ghetto became permanent, enduring feature of black life by 1940

1. Inhabited exclusively by members of one group (connotation of being trapped)

B. Puerto Ricans are only Hispanics whose segregation as great

1. Possible explanation: greater African heritage

2. Not so in Miami-Dade; Mexicans most segregated(Homestead) (Boswell, 1993)

II. U.S. Trends

A.Do blacks have less residential segregation today than in 1900?No!

1.In 1900 blacks still on white plantations as tenants (debt slavery)

2.ghetto a 20th century creation:occurs as blacks move North, esp. WWI / WWII

B.Northern whites respond by boycotting businesses catering to blacks and violence

C.After 1910, restrictive (racial) covenants insure segregation

1. Only 3/4 of residents need sign; all bound not to sell, lease, or rent to blacks

2. South-African style apartheid in U.S.!:legal until Supreme Court eliminate 1948

D.Residential segregation peaks between 1950 and 1960

E.Dissimilarity Index measures segregation:% that would have to move for racial balance

1. 30-60 moderate range

2. Reduced only 2.3% in North during 1980s; need 60 yrs to reach moderate range

3.10 points lower in South than in North; Cleveland, NY, Chicago above 80

4. Currently in mid-60s to 70 nationwide

III.Trends in Miami

A.1940, 1950, 1960, Miami most segregated major metropolitan area in U.S (Index=98)

B.In 1920s, 25,000 crowded in 50 blocks called “colored town” because of racial zoning

C.1956 plan for I-95 purposely displaces blacks, destroys “Harlem of the South”

D.Invasion-succession in Northwest quadrant: creates black belt to Opalocka, Carol City 

E. By 1950s,10 black pockets in South Miami,Goulds,Perrine,Homestead,Florida City,etc.

F.1951, KKK organizes bombing of Carver Village,murders Harry T. Moore of NAACP

G. 1960, 96% of blacks in 10 pockets, by 1980 down to 71% (see Boswell, 1993)

H. Hispanics’ chain process creates 2 wedges:Hialeah;from Little Havana to Sweetwater.

I.Hispanic black/white residential separation is less; many black Hispanics in Allapatah

IV. Causes of Segregation

A. Redlining: HOLC 1933,FHA 1937 “security maps” code black areas red & deny loans

1.Private banks,mortgage cos. use maps--stops capital inflow in black areas

2.no financing for mortgages, home improvement causes property values decline

a. Causes pattern of disrepair, deterioration, vacancy, abandonment (1993:55)

3. Denies blacks appreciating home values--one of the pillars of middle class status

B.Atlanta Constitution study (1989):11% rejection for whites, 24% blacks for loans

1. In 3 out of 5 years, high income blacks rejected more than low income whites

C. Not black choice: 95% willing to live in neighborhoods 15-70% black

D. Cause racial steering: audit studies show guiding to black areas by real estate agents

V.Effects of Segregation: 1. Poor schools and inferior services, 2. blocked socioeconomic mobility via increased property values, 3. effect of oppositional ghetto culture on black educational performance (Rosenbaum), 4. black English vernacular (Ebonics) causes job discrimination--employers see as disrespectful, undependable, 5. oppositional culture devalues work, schooling, marriage, 6. Ticking time bomb behind explosive race riots.

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