Michigan is a state with a long and complex history of racial segregation and discrimination. From the Great Migration of Black Americans from the South to the urban riots of the 1960s, the state has witnessed many struggles for racial justice and equality.
However, despite the efforts of civil rights activists and community leaders, some cities in Michigan still remain deeply divided along racial lines. One such city is Detroit, which has been named the most segregated city in the United States, according to a new study from the University of California Berkley’s Othering & Belonging Institute.
The Roots of Structural Racism
The study, titled “The Roots of Structural Racism”, found that 169 of 209 metro areas in the U.S. have increased their levels of segregation between 1990 and 2019. The researchers used a measure called the Dissimilarity Index, which ranges from 0 to 100 and indicates how evenly two groups are distributed across a geographic area. A higher score means more segregation, while a lower score means more integration. The study also looked at the factors that contribute to segregation, such as housing, education, income, employment, health, and criminal justice.
According to the study, Detroit has a Dissimilarity Index of 79.3, which is the highest among all metro areas in the U.S. This means that 79.3% of either Black or white residents would have to move to another neighborhood in order to achieve racial balance. The study also ranks the Detroit-Warren-Livonia metropolitan area as the fourth most segregated metro area in the country, behind Milwaukee, New York, and Chicago.
The study points to Detroit’s history as a destination for Black Americans from the South during the Great Migration, and the efforts by city and state government to keep these new arrivals segregated to certain neighborhoods.
The segregation in the metro area increased as white people fled to the suburbs, making Detroit a majority Black city by 1980. The study also notes that Detroit has suffered from chronic disinvestment, deindustrialization, and political and economic austerity, which have contributed to inequality in public goods and services.
The Consequences of Segregation
The study argues that segregation is not only a matter of spatial separation, but also a form of structural racism that creates and maintains racial disparities and disadvantages. The study cites evidence that segregation is associated with lower educational attainment, lower income, higher unemployment, poorer health, higher crime, and lower political representation for Black Americans.
The study also claims that segregation harms the social cohesion and economic vitality of the whole society, as it reduces the opportunities for cross-racial interaction, cooperation, and innovation.
The study calls for urgent action to address the root causes and effects of segregation, and to promote more inclusive and equitable communities. The study recommends a range of policies and practices, such as enforcing fair housing laws, expanding affordable housing, investing in public infrastructure, improving public education, reforming criminal justice, and supporting community organizing and civic engagement.
The Voices of the People
While the study provides a comprehensive and data-driven analysis of segregation in the U.S., it does not capture the lived experiences and perspectives of the people who reside in the most segregated cities. To get a glimpse of how segregation affects the daily lives and interactions of the residents of Detroit, one can look at a video that was posted on social media by Rob Bliss, a Michigan man who said he wanted to have conversations with residents in the “most racist town in America” while holding up a Black Lives Matter sign.
The video, which spans a little over two minutes, shows cuts of racist language and vitriolic comments made by people who drove by or walked in front of the local Walmart while Bliss held the sign. The video also shows Bliss getting asked to leave by the Walmart manager, despite showing him a statement from the corporation stating their support for the Black Lives Matter movement. The video has garnered thousands of views and reactions in less than a day, exposing the hostility and intolerance that still exist in some parts of the country.
However, the video also shows a glimmer of hope, as in the last few seconds, a masked young person hands Bliss a piece of paper with a heart and the words “I support BLM” written on it. This gesture suggests that not everyone in Detroit is racist, and that there are some people who are willing to stand up for racial justice and solidarity.
Conclusion
Detroit is a city that has been shaped by its history of racial segregation and discrimination, and that still faces many challenges and inequalities as a result. However, Detroit is also a city that has a rich and diverse culture, a resilient and creative spirit, and a potential for transformation and renewal. By acknowledging and addressing the roots and consequences of segregation, and by fostering more inclusive and equitable communities, Detroit can become a city that is not only less racist, but also more prosperous and harmonious.