American Apartheid: Private Discrimination by Whites

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Racially segregated housing patterns in the United States exist to a large degree as a result of intentional discrimination against minorities.[54] Opponents argue that patterns of housing segregation exist because of personal choice and economic disparity, yet income differences alone account for only 10% to 35% of the racial segregation actually observed.[55] Moreover, the myth that African Americans want to live amongst other African Americans is unfounded. In a sociological study of the underlying attitudes of whites and blacks toward integrated housing, for example, blacks overwhelmingly chose to live in integrated neighborhoods.[56]
  • Among the blacks surveyed, only 17% indicated that they would like to live in a complete ly black community as their first or second choice.[57]Only a small number of blacks indicated that their unwillingness to move to an all-white neighborhood was based on a desire to live with other blacks.[58] Approximately 82% of the black respondents chose a racially mixed community, described as being comprised of 45% African Americans.[59]

  • Of African Americans willing to move into predominantly white areas, however, about 90% feared that they would be unwelcome by whites.[60]Additionally, 17% of the African American respondents were concerned about physical retaliation from white residents if they moved into a white community.[61] The evidence of pervasive intentional housing discrimination illustrates that the fears of African Americans have not been unfounded.

  • In a sociological study done in Detroit, Michigan, a large percentage of whites surveyed indicated they would feel uncomfortable living in communities populated by equal numbers of blacks and whites.[83] More specifically, 84% of white respondents stated they would not move into a community composed of 60% black residents, and 64% of whites indicated they would definitely move to another neighborhood.[84] Perhaps more disturbing is that greater than 50% of whites said that they would not move into a community consisting of only 20% black residents.[85] It is also disconcerting that 40% of the whites surveyed indicated that they would move out of an area that became integrated, fearing a decline in property value.[86] [MORE]