Milwaukee: The Divided City
"Why is Milwaukee considered one of the most racially segregated cities in the United States?"
The Downhill Spiral
Segregation
So with white flight and whites making up 80% of the housing market, it seems that segregation is inevitable. So why is it so hard to convince whites to stay in a community with an increasing minority population? And is the white population solely to blame for segregation and deteriorating conditions in minority communities? Why does race matter? Also, Charles mentions, "Segregation is a major barrier to equality...it inhibits the development of informal, neighborly relations" (167). [5] This segregation allows each race to see the worse in the other and fuels the racial prejudices. That being said, is it segregation that causes racism, or is it racism that causes segregation?
Racial Preferences
Charles mentions a study conducted in the 1990s where whites were asked about their comfort level and willingness to live in neighborhoods with blacks; blacks received the same survey about whites. 25% of whites said one black neighbor would make them uncomfortable, and 40% said they would leave if the area was 1/3 black. 80% of whites said they would not move into a neighborhood that is predominately black, and 25% preferred no blacks in their ideal neighborhood. While whites expressed an overwhelming preference to be isolated among other whites, blacks reported just the opposite. Most blacks preferred integration and stressed the importance of "racial harmony". 85% of blacks preferred 50-50 neighborhoods, and nearly all of them said they would move into an integrated neighborhood; 38% said they would move into an all white neighborhood. The pro-integration preferences of blacks turned out to be true across races. Blacks, Hispanics, and Asians all stressed the importance of integration, Hispanics want the most integration. Hispanics and Asians, however, did stress that whites are the most desirable group to live with, and the blacks were the least (182-187). [5] So why are whites so opposed to integration? Well, Charles explains that "Whites use segregation to maintain social distance" (182). [5] This belief is tied to racial prejudices and discriminations that preserve white advantages. This could also explain the motives for white flight, which ultimately leads to segregation in terms of the downward spiral. However, Charles introduces two other possible explanations for why segregation occurs: Spatial Assimilation and Place Stratification. [5]
The Spatial Assimilation Model holds economic status accountable for racial segregation. Charles notes, "On average, Blacks and Hispanics complete fewer years of school and are concentrated in lower status occupations, earn less income, and accumulate less wealth compared to whites" (176). [5] Therefore, the difference in life style and social status logically creates segregation. However, PBS argues that white flight is the cause of poor education systems, a lack of jobs, and then, ultimately a lack of wealth in minority communities. These views are conflicting. While Charles provides this perspective on why segregation occurs, based on what has been discussed so far, if white people didn't leave minority communities, then minorities should ideally have the same opportunities as whites, and could potentially receive the same education and job opportunities, and the Spatial Assimilation model would not make sense. So since white flight is based on preconceived notions, usually racial prejudices, then the better explanation for racial segregation is the Place Stratification Model.
Spatial Assimilation
Place Stratification
The Place Stratification Model is based on "persisting prejudice and/or discrimination" (176). [5] This model explains that racial minorities are sorted based on their standing in society. Their standing in society can be predetermined based on prejudices or it can align with their social standings in their home country. For example, Afro-Caribbean Blacks tend to have a better experience than African Americans. The same is true for Asians: Filipinos and Vietnamese are usually less affluent than Chinese, Japanese, or Koreans. [5] These circumstances are tied to the poverty/prosperity in their home country, which then translates to America when they integrate into society. Their pre-existing social status combined with the preconceived notions of whites ultimately leads to segregation.
Racial Preferences
That being said, it is clear that racial prejudices affect integration preferences, and contribute to the persistence of segregated communities in cities like Milwaukee. So does segregation create racism or does racism create segregation? Well, based on these concepts, one could conclude that racism creates segregation since racial prejudices keep whites from residing by minorities. However, in relation to the comment posed earlier about segregation fueling racial prejudices, this complicates the matter. What comes first then? Well, based on the information gathered so far, it appears that racial prejudices are what created segregation, but ever since it's been a never-ending cycle: racism creates segregation, segregation fuels racism, and furthers segregation. All which ultimately kick-starts the "Downward Spiral" and minorities are affected socially and economically as a result.