Colorado is a state known for its natural beauty, outdoor recreation, and progressive politics. But it also has a dark side: racism. According to a recent report by the Othering & Belonging Institute at the University of California, Berkeley, Colorado has one of the most segregated cities in the nation: Denver.
The Roots of Structural Racism
The report, titled “The Roots of Structural Racism Project”, analyzed the racial composition and segregation of every metropolitan region and city in the United States with more than 200,000 residents from 1990 to 2019. It found that 81% of the regions and 99% of the cities became more segregated over time, with harmful effects for communities of color.
The report used several indicators to measure segregation, such as the dissimilarity index, which shows how evenly two groups are distributed across a geographic area, and the isolation index, which shows how much a group is exposed to its own members. The report also considered the historical and legal factors that contributed to segregation, such as redlining, restrictive covenants, and sundown towns.
A sundown town is a term used to describe a community that excludes non-whites, either by law or by violence, and forces them to leave by sundown. According to Wikipedia, the earliest legal restrictions on the movements of African Americans and other racial minorities date back to the colonial era, and thousands of towns and counties across the United States became sundown localities after the end of the Reconstruction era.
Denver: A Highly Segregated City
The report classified Denver as a highly segregated city, meaning that it had a dissimilarity index of more than 60 and an isolation index of more than 40 for at least one racial group. The report found that Denver’s dissimilarity index for whites and blacks increased from 61.3 in 1990 to 64.4 in 2019, and its isolation index for blacks increased from 41.4 to 44.9 in the same period. The report also found that Denver’s dissimilarity index for whites and Latinos increased from 47.4 in 1990 to 50.8 in 2019, and its isolation index for Latinos increased from 35.8 to 39.5 in the same period.
These numbers indicate that Denver has become more racially divided over time, with whites and blacks living in separate and unequal neighborhoods. The report also showed that segregated communities of color in Denver have lower incomes, lower home values, lower homeownership rates, and higher poverty rates than segregated white neighborhoods or integrated neighborhoods.
The report did not examine the causes of Denver’s segregation, but some possible factors include the legacy of discriminatory housing policies, the gentrification and displacement of low-income residents, the lack of affordable housing and public transportation, and the persistence of racial prejudice and bias.
Colorado Springs: An Integrated City
In contrast to Denver, the report classified Colorado Springs as an integrated city, meaning that it had a dissimilarity index of less than 40 and an isolation index of less than 30 for all racial groups. The report found that Colorado Springs’s dissimilarity index for whites and blacks decreased from 38.6 in 1990 to 36.7 in 2019, and its isolation index for blacks decreased from 21.9 to 19.9 in the same period. The report also found that Colorado Springs’s dissimilarity index for whites and Latinos decreased from 33.9 in 1990 to 32.7 in 2019, and its isolation index for Latinos decreased from 22.6 to 21.4 in the same period.
These numbers indicate that Colorado Springs has become more racially diverse and inclusive over time, with whites and blacks living in more mixed and equitable neighborhoods. The report also showed that integrated communities in Colorado Springs have higher incomes, higher home values, higher homeownership rates, and lower poverty rates than segregated communities or the national average.
The report did not examine the reasons for Colorado Springs’s integration, but some possible factors include the presence of military bases and institutions, the influx of immigrants and refugees, the growth of religious and civic organizations, and the promotion of tolerance and respect.
Conclusion
The report by the Othering & Belonging Institute revealed that racial segregation is a widespread and worsening problem in the United States, with negative consequences for communities of color and society as a whole. It also highlighted the stark contrast between Denver and Colorado Springs, two cities in the same state that have very different levels of segregation and integration. Based on the report’s findings, Denver can be considered the most racist city in Colorado, while Colorado Springs can be considered the most integrated city in Colorado.
However, the report also acknowledged that segregation and integration are complex and dynamic phenomena, and that more research and action are needed to understand and address the root causes and effects of structural racism. The report also suggested some possible solutions, such as enforcing fair housing laws, expanding affordable housing and public transportation, supporting community development and empowerment, and fostering cross-cultural dialogue and education.
The report concluded by stating that “creating a truly inclusive and equitable society requires a radical transformation of our systems, institutions, and culture, as well as a deep commitment to our shared humanity and destiny.”