Redlining vs. Segregation

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In Days 3 and 4 of the Racial Justice Challenge, we discussed systemic barriers that communities of color face in getting access to safe and fair housing. Redlining comes up again and again in Spokane – it’s important to continue to unearth the history of segregation and redlining, their connections, and the ongoing effects they have on society today.

The legacy of racial discrimination in the United States is a complex and enduring one. Two of the most significant contributors to this legacy are segregation and redlining. While these practices are distinct in their nature, they are deeply interconnected and have had profound and lasting impacts on communities of color.

Segregation

Segregation, in the context of the US, refers to the systematic and enforced separation of racial and ethnic groups. This practice has deep historical roots, with its most infamous period occurring under the so-called “Jim Crow” laws, which mandated racial segregation in the South from the late 19th century through the mid-20th century.

Enforced by government through laws and policies, segregation extended to nearly every aspect of public life, from schools and transportation to restaurants and bathrooms. It was often overt, visible and decidedly unequal, with segregated facilities and public spaces that resulted in Black Americans receiving inferior services and accommodations.

Segregation was not just about physical separation; it also perpetuated economic disparities and social isolation. Segregation resulted in unequal access to resources and opportunities, leading to disparities in education, employment, and living conditions for marginalized groups. It fostered a climate of racial tension and discrimination, perpetuating fear, mistrust, harmful stereotypes, and prejudice. Black individuals were often denied access to well-paying jobs and educational opportunities available to their white counterparts.

Redlining

An equally devastating, yet more covert practice carried out through administrative decisions and lending policies emerged in the 1930s known as redlining. This discriminatory practice played a pivotal role in creating and perpetuating wealth disparities. Government agencies and financial institutions systematically denied and/or limited loans and insurance to individuals and neighborhoods based on their racial or ethnic composition. White families had access to homeownership and property appreciation, while Black families were denied these opportunities, preventing them from accumulating wealth through homeownership and property appreciation.

Redlining involved the categorization of neighborhoods on maps, with areas populated by minority groups, especially Black communities, typically marked as high-risk or “red” areas. Lenders and insurers used “redlining maps” to designate predominantly Black neighborhoods as high-risk areas for investment.

It led to the persistence of segregated neighborhoods and contributed to the racial wealth gap, as white communities were given more favorable lending terms. Redlined neighborhoods experienced disinvestment, leading to declining property values and limited access to basic services. This cycle of disinvestment and neglect has endured for decades.

Impact

The impact of segregation and redlining continues to reverberate through American society today. Racial disparities in education, healthcare, wealth, and criminal justice persist as a result of these historical practices. Overcoming these disparities requires acknowledging the deep-rooted injustices of the past and implementing policies that promote equity and inclusion.

Segregation and redlining are dark chapters in US history, revealing the systemic racism that has plagued the country for centuries. To move forward, we must confront this history honestly, dismantle the structures that perpetuate inequality, and work collectively toward a more just and equitable society. Only then can we hope to heal the wounds inflicted by segregation and redlining and ensure a brighter future for all.

Learn more about redlining in Spokane here.

Additional learning:

[article] Centering Racial Equity Is Critical to Ending Homelessness

[article] Your Money’s No Good Here: Combatting Source of Income Discrimination in Housing

[article] Black and Hispanic renters experience discrimination in almost every major American city

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