Week 6 Post 3

 Week 6 Post 3- informal reflection

This weeks chapter talked about how white flight was instigated by the government. It was a really fascinating read, and while I was very familiar with the term White Flight, I never knew how influenced it was by government interference. The fact that real estate agents hired black people to go into neighborhoods and do things to scare white people into moving out is somewhat terrifying, in a sense that I can't believe someone would think like that. The staging of burglaries is so completely ridiculous, but it was successful in what they wanted it to do. This chapter helped me get a better understanding of what blockbusting really is, and how calculated the FHA was in their work during this time. I found the end of the chapter that focused on Chicago very interesting. The FHA was an indirect cause of a rise of gang activity in the Chicago area because of the 'double-shifting' that happened in Chicago schools because of how overcrowded black neighborhoods were. This chapter was really interesting, and I'm enjoying this book a lot so far. 

Here's some more areas I want to research in:

- Local. What was happening with segregation in Des Moines during this time? The book discusses major midwest cities, so I can only assume I will find similar stories with the creation of Des Moines suburbs

- Environmental impacts. An earlier chapter discussed that toxic waste facilities were placed in black neighborhoods in much higher concentration than in white neighborhoods. What environmental issues are facing black communities today because of it.

-Current political action. Have any twenty-first century presidents made any progress toward fixing the lasting damage of residential segregation?

Comments

  1. Ms. DunleyApril 27, 2023 at 9:42 AM

    What do you think could be done to address the white flight issue that continues today in Des Moines? What issues do you think add to white flight today?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sofia ReamMay 15, 2023 at 3:20 PM


      There is still a false narrative that city schools are 'rough' and 'dangerous', which comes from the lack of funding they received when city zoning boards attempted to segregate families with black and white only schools. White flight is still a huge problem in Des Moines, we have some of the most rapid growing suburbs in the nation and no interest from our city council in giving aid to our struggling neighborhoods. The only way to improve our cities is with direct public policy, and to elect officials of our suburban city councils that are informed on the negative effects on continuing to expand our suburbs outwards.

      Delete

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