Residential Segregation

Residential Segregation

The separation of different racial or ethnic groups in residential areas, often resulting from systemic and institutional racism.

Systemic Racism

A form of racism that is embedded in the laws and regulations of a society or organization, leading to discrimination in various areas such as housing, education, and employment.

Institutional Racism

A form of racism that is entrenched in the policies and practices of institutions, resulting in the unfair treatment of certain racial or ethnic groups.

Redlining

A discriminatory practice where banks and insurers systematically denied services to residents in certain neighborhoods based on racial or ethnic composition.

Sundown Towns

Communities that were intentionally kept all-white by enforcing unwritten rules, often accompanied by threats or violence aimed at people of color after sunset.

Racial Covenants

Legal clauses in property deeds that prohibited the sale or occupancy of property to nonwhite individuals.

The Green Book

A travel guide for African Americans that provided information on places where they would be treated with respect and dignity during the era of segregation.

Blockbusting

A practice where real estate agents convinced white homeowners to sell their properties at low prices by instilling fear that minorities moving into the neighborhood would lower property values.

Social Construction of Race

The understanding that while race is not biologically defined, it is constructed through societal norms, attitudes, and institutional practices.

Implicit Racism

Racism that occurs without conscious intent or awareness; it can manifest in subconscious biases and stereotypes.

The American Dream and Whiteness

The notion that homeownership and economic mobility were largely accessible for white Americans, while systemic barriers often excluded people of color from these opportunities.

FHA (Federal Housing Administration)

A government agency that played a significant role in shaping American housing policy, often leading to discriminatory practices against nonwhite homeowners.

Legacy of Jim Crow

The continuation of racial segregation and discrimination practices that originated during the Jim Crow era, still influencing modern policies and social patterns.

Racism as Prejudice with Power

The definition of racism that includes the idea that prejudice against people of color is facilitated by systemic power imbalances.

Equity

Fairness and justice in the way individuals are treated, particularly in terms of opportunity and access to resources.

Disparities

The inequalities and differences in outcomes often seen across racial and ethnic groups, particularly in areas like wealth, health, and education.