Promoting and Sustaining Diverse and
Integrated Communities
Segregation is the Structure of
Inequality in Metropolitan America
• Segregation provides a primary impetus for
continued discrimination.
• Segregation correlates with inequalities in jobs,
schools, crime, health, infrastructure, and services.
• Segregation enables “racial blind spots” that
perpetuate “self segregation.”
• Segregation disadvantages everyone socially and
economically.
We Must Be Intentional to Promote
Integration and Equity
Human progress is neither automatic nor inevitable.
Every step toward the goal of justice requires the
tireless exertions and passionate concern of
dedicated individuals.
- Martin Luther King, Jr.
The future depends on what we do in the present.
- Mohandas K. Gandhi
Terminology
• Diversity is the presence of people of different racial groups in a
community. We strive for a community that racially represents the
metropolitan region.
• Integration is when people of different racial groups live in proximity to one
another within a community. We strive for a community where no
neighborhood is exclusively for or without any racial group.
• Inclusion is when people of different racial groups interact socially and
participate together in a community. Integration is the foundation for
inclusion.
• Equity is when people of different racial groups have similar outcomes in a
community. We continue to strive for a community that is more equitable.
Segregation NOT Diversity is the cause
of instability and disinvestment
Diversity – Integration
=
Segregation
•
•
•
•
Whites
Blacks
Asians
Latinos
Racial/Ethnic Change in City of Chicago
during the 2000s
Each dot=25 people
Integration turns Diversity
into an Asset
Diversity + Integration
=
Opportunity
Integration is much better in Oak Park than surrounding communities
The Affirmative Oak Park Model
Directly Promotes Integration
• Proactive and engages housing seekers in their
search rather than after they’ve faced
discrimination
• Engages landlords and real estate agents to
embrace integration and comply with fair housing
law
• Coordinates other institutions and activities to
support integration.
The Affirmative Oak Park Model
Directly Promotes Integration
• Includes everyone by explaining the benefits of
integration, whites are included in the effort
• Builds an aspirational and inclusive movement,
promotes collaboration not adversity
• Addresses the structures and systems of equal
opportunity to promote lasting change
Typical Housing Searches are Limited
Tenant BEGINS
Housing Search
Implicit Bias,
Misperceptions, &
Stereotypes LIMIT
options
Status Quo of
Inequality PERSISTS
In Some Cases,
People of Color Face
DISCRIMINATION
Move reinforces
SEGREGATION
Search EXCLUDES
affirmative options
Affirmatively Assisted Moves Increase
Options & Facilitate Integration
Tenant BEGINS
Housing Search
Structure of
Inclusion IMPROVES
Housing Center
DISRUPTS Implicit
Biases,
Misperceptions, &
Stereotypes
Move promotes
INTEGRATION
People of Color are
INFORMED about
Fair Housing Rights
and Actions
Search EXPANDS to
include affirmative
moves
Historical Population Percentages - Oak Park, IL
99
85
75
66
64
22
21
5
7
3
4
5
1990
2000
2010
18
11
0
0
1970
3
1
1
1980
White
Black
Asian
Latino
2010 Population Percentages
Oak Park Largely Reflects the Chicago Region
64
School age population is
even closer in parity.
53
22
21
18
6
5
White
Black
Asian
Oak Park
Region
7
Latino
Integration Transforms Diversity into Prosperity
100%
100%
Equalized Assessed Value (Standardized by 2010 Dollars)
85%
80%
75%
66%
64%
60%
48%
51%
40%
30%
20%
0%
1980
1990
White Population Share
2000
Standardized Property Value
2010
Building
Toward
Racial
Equity
Equity: Equalized
outcomes for all
racial groups
Inclusion: Social
interaction among all
racial groups
Integration: Proximity to different
racial groups
Diversity: Presence of multiple racial groups
•
•
•
•
Whites
Blacks
Asians
Latinos
Intentional Integration and Columbia
• All communities will be more diverse as America
becomes a more diverse nation.
• Columbia has a head start but integration still
requires intentionality.
• Other diverse communities that lost intentionality
segregated or re-segregated.
Intentional Integration and Columbia
• An integration model is aspirational not adversarial.
It appeals to social and practical goals
• All racial groups have a role to play and receive a
benefit
• The model proves diversity and prosperity can
coexist
Intentional Integration and Columbia
• What can Columbia learn from
Oak Park?
• Should something similar be
implemented in Columbia?