Is segregation the problem in Ferguson?
by Jonathan Rodden, Washington Post
This article explores the situation currently going on in Ferguson and possible reasons for such. I really enjoyed this article for several reasons. Rodden talks about how many people think the situation (I say situation and mean the death of Michael Brown and the aftermath) in Ferguson has occurred because of segregation in St. Louis. He explains (according to others’ statements), that whites will do whatever it takes to prevent backs from moving into their neighborhoods.
It seems the author doesn’t agree with these statements and actually calls it “depressing,” because it suggests that black individuals in North County can take over local government and police force, when all the white people die in North County or move to St. Charles.
The main point I took from this article is Rodden’s discussion about the actual status of Ferguson, in relation to segregation. While St. Louis is one of the most segregated regions in the US, Ferguson (among some other North County areas) is one of the most racially integrated areas in Missouri and even beyond Missouri.Rodden then goes on to discuss data that he has found representing his claims about Ferguson being integrated.
Towards the end of the article Rodden states, “it is that the racial integration of the community has not been reflected in the municipal government and police force, whose racial composition still reflects the status quo of the 1980s.”
I really enjoyed this article. I feel like at the beginning of the riots occurring in Ferguson, many people were especially disrespectful towards black people (facebook, twitter, all other social media). What I am seeing in Ferguson is a serious issue of officials not racially representing those in the community. Thoughts?
Kate this was a great article. I too really enjoyed it because I felt that the article got to the root of the problem. Through this article Rodden was successful at pointing out that the current problems in Ferguson surrounding Michael Brown, go deeper than the killing of one black male. The issues in Ferguson are due to the fact that this is one of the largest racial segregated communities in the St. Louis region. This communities issues with racism did not begin with Michael Brown; which is what many of those individuals who were disrespectful to the black people on social media do not realize.I agree with Rodden in saying that in order to see some type of change in the Ferguson neighborhood we must get a diverse group (black people) of community leaders in office. In hopes to put a stop to the white people who benefit from the status quo of the 1980's dominated the elections.
ReplyDeleteOne other thing that stood out to me in particular about this article was when Rodden said "whites will do whatever it takes to prevent blacks from moving into their neighborhoods," and when they fail at blocking them out, whites build new interstates and move in masse to the next ring of undeveloped farmland. I chuckled when I read this passage because I could not believe how true it was and that someone was actually saying it aloud for the world to see. When I think about what Rodden is saying here I see it everyday in St. Louis city and county. When driving in south county area near 270/255 or even down 55 and Telegraph or Lemay there are isolated houses or maybe three to five random houses just built or being built in the most occurred places. Mainly hilly areas with no chance of having a backyard. And it is clear that this is because white people have decided to move further away from black people. It is not likely that you will find many black people driving out that far to go to the mall let alone live. I also see this happening when it comes to building affordable housing. There is a law that limits the building of affordable housing in certain suburban areas. I find this to be extremely discriminating. However, at times I believe that expensive loft and condominium properties are built in majority black neighborhoods in hopes to bring more whites to the area. Also to increase the value of the neighborhood or maybe to get the blacks to move out of the community.
I thought this article was very interesting as well. I like how the author was able to give a visual as to how integrated Ferguson actually is in comparison to some other areas in the County. I absolutely agree that there is a misrepresentation in the police force and the political arena in Ferguson as well as other areas like Hazelwood and Florissant. The struggle obviously is how does this change? How do we encourage the black community to vote or how do we identify the obstacles and challenges that result in low voting by the black community in these areas? There is no quick solution to these questions or issues but hopefully the events that have occurred following the death of Michael Brown have brought some of these issues to the forefront so the community of Ferguson, and others similar, can begin to address these issues and involve all of the community members so that each of them has a voice.
ReplyDeleteGreat read! I was intrigued by the graphs that the author provided. A lot of times we don't realize the significant downfall of things until we have a visual or something happens. The Michael Brown shooting was merely something that brought awareness to how serious it has become in the Ferguson area for Blacks. I like how the author also identified Hazelwood and Florissant and the misrepresentation or how things occur in those communities as well.
ReplyDeleteI personally feel like there has been a stigma placed on the black residents in Ferguson as far as the crime rate and section 8 housing. So many people get caught up in "being products of the environment" and do not realize that may possibly be the problem versus the change they want to see tomorrow. Voting is serious and it is the only way that change will occur.
Kate, I had actually read this article before you posted it and loved it. I live in Florissant and a lot of times when I tell people (mostly older white people) that they tell me it is a black community. This always makes me chuckle a little bit because my street is probably about 60% black and 40% white. When I think of a black community or neighborhood I imagine more like 90-100% black. I don't think my neighborhood is a black community, nor do I think the rest of Florissant is. I think the maps in this article really help to show that it is pretty equal as far as black and white goes in both Florissant and Ferguson
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading this article. I think the zoomed in maps of ferguson and showing how integrated the city actually is was very helpful. What I took out of this article was that the problem is not actually the city being segregated, because clearly it is well integrated, but the municipal government and police forces being segregated. Also, the fact that there needs to be more diversity in regards to who is voting in off-cycle elections. There has to be a way to get a more diverse crowd to help voting, then there could be some real change happening.
ReplyDeleteThis article was very eye opening and I guess to my ignorance I did not realize just the stats of how intergraded the city actually is. I think it's sad they comment that Ashley made that the older generation white individuals identify Ferguson as a "black community." The graphs are a great representation of the contrary. Unfortunately the stereotypes that individuals have perpetuate the stereotypes of the community. I wonder if the city government or officials ever thought about the agency not having a strong representations of different ethnicities until now? I know Fashion has discussed in class her concerns with voter turn out and I too feel this in one way to continue community involvement and allow everyone' voice to be heard. There needs to be a coalition and encouragement to get people to the polls.
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