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Segregation Still Strong 150 Years after the Civil War Began

Jun 14, 2011

By William A. Collins 

Maybe racial discrimination will truly fade someday, but don't count on it for now.
 
 
By William A. Collins
 
Good old Haley Barbour, governor of Mississippi. He helps keep life in perspective. When he defended Virginia Governor Robert McDonnell's infamous recollection of the Confederacy that somehow failed to mention slavery, Barbour called the issue a "nit" — merely an insignificant matter.
 
But while Barbour's dismissive view of slavery may be popular in Mississippi — he's the governor, after all — it's nonetheless a little raw for most of the country. One hundred and fifty years after the Civil War began, America's entrenched segregation is more refined, but no less real. We accomplish racial separation simply through zoning regulations and law enforcement. Zoning keeps poor people, especially when they're not white, out of middle-class and wealthy towns by concentrating them in jurisdictions laden with cramped housing and under-funded schools.
 
This technique accomplishes two things. First it assures that poor minorities won't live in affluent white neighborhoods. Second, since lower property values mean less property tax revenue to fund public schools, the kids raised in those homes aren't as likely to get a good education. That in turn means that when they're adults, their own kids will probably live in areas with under-funded schools too.
 
Another systemic problem is that across the nation the police tend to target African-American and Latino youths at traffic stops. Prosecutors, likewise, tend to throw the book at black suspects, thus guaranteeing a criminal record for potential employers to peruse.
 
And so blacks, and many Latinos, grow up poor and stuck in the segregation cycle. The median net worth of white households at last count was $97,900. For black households, the median net worth was $2,200, or next to nothing. Minorities account for more than half of the 50 million Americans who lack health insurance, and one in four blacks and Latinos live below the poverty line.
 
The Great Migration that brought so many African Americans up North, lured by plentiful industrial jobs, has now reversed. Those good jobs at unionized factories are gone, thanks to technological advances and corporate America's predilection for shipping jobs to China and other low-wage nations with feeble labor laws. Liking to eat occasionally, and not having many other choices, many blacks are now moving from Northern to Southern states.
 
Detroit, once the hub of black upward mobility, has shriveled. Atlanta's more promising now. And New York City, the single biggest center of African-American culture, has for the first time seen its black population decline.
 

Maybe racial discrimination will truly fade someday, but don't count on it for now. Even the United Nations recently gave us low marks for our segregated schools. From disproportionately harsh prison sentences to schools that are separate and not equal, our society tilts invariably against Americans of color. In such a setting, even Haley Barbour is just another nit. 

________

William A. Collins is a former state representative and a former mayor of Norwalk, Connecticut.  

Comments
Dear Mr Collins, Do Not Pity me and my “minority” family. We are NOT victims. Women and Minorities are Smart enough to get an Education & any Job/Career we set our minds to. We Do Not need the demeaning and insulting Affirmative Action Policies to improve our lives. http://forums.fingerlakes1.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=1286756#Post1286756

Response to “Obama’s debt ceiling debacle” LeeAnnRagains.com

http://www.ncai.org/BIA-Tribal-Budget-Advisory-Cou.181.0.html President Obama learned the Sacred Native Language Code Words - "Shared Responsibility & Sacrifice" from the 2010 White House Tribal Nations Conference. My summary of this 180 yr old Hostage Situation IS - the 565 Tribal Counsels will continue to perpetuate “Welfare as a Career” for 100 - more yrs. Salazar & Echohawk are DIVIDING our families & further Segregating America by enforcing the INSANE Indian Policies of “You are NOT Indian -UNTIL- the DOI/BIA tells you that you are an Indian; ONLY IF you are Enrolled in the 565 Federally Recognized Tribes.

Obama was given 108pages of RANSOM DEMANDS from the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) to Re-Negotiate my American Citizenship and my family’s Bill of Rights as Null & Void. And costs 1 to 8 Trillion to enslave; Every Tax Payer that ever lived, Tax Payers today & Our Children will continue to Pay these Taxes.

Since NON-Indians are merely disregarded as WHITE that means every country’s; Heritage, Language & Culture DOES NOT EXISIT? My great grandmother was from Ireland & Germany and she is merely disregarded as white; Ireland & Germany are 2 completely different Countries.

In order to restore a system of personal responsibility and accountability; American Citizens must lead by example for Liberty & Unity. We must Abolish the DOI/BIA Trust Responsibility.

Please listen to John Stossels Indians - of his series on "Freeloaders"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1Ey_g4wOnw&feature=related

Please Educate yourself and teach your family, friends & Readers. We are American Citizens and we require the Protection & Mercy of the United States Constitution and Bill of Rights as Equals. Thanks, Lee Ann

LeeAnnRagains.com | Lee@LeeAnnRagains.com | Jul 22, 2011 10:25 AM
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