Sociology: Racial Segregation

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Sociology
Racial segregation in the United States traces back to the pre-civil war era. Whites believed they were superior to the black slaves from Africa. The black slaves were considered fit only for physical work. The general agreement at the time being that the black slave did not have the capacity to handle intellectual work. The civil war was occasioned by a decisive change in the mind-set of the liberal North. Their perception was that the black slave was essentially a man. Thus, there was no justification for a man to be held as a slave. This represented the first attempt in establishing equality of the races.
This paper thus seeks to examine the issue of racial segregation with specific reference to inequality and how it applies to urban development and change. The paper defines inequality as the difference in nature. Thus, inequality of the races is occasioned by the perception of one race as superior to the other. The paper notes, that despite the proclamation by President Lincoln. There have been significant attempts at curtailing the freedom of the black man. These efforts have been systemic. Often backed by public policy efforts, law and funding mechanisms. The question of race and its impact on the equality of the races remains unresolved. Inequality in Urban development and change pervades. Race is clearly the major determinant in the issue of inequality in urban development. The paper will seek to determine how race impacts the socioeconomic condition of the blacks. The paper will examine this notion and subject it to critical analysis.
Discussion
Inequality is simply defined as the difference in the socio, political and economic status of individuals. Urban development studies the development of cities and the process that affect this. This is a wholesome study looking at the social, political, economic, cultural and physical factors that affect the growth of cities. The paper will focus on inequality as relating to the growth function of urban development.
Silver and Moeser note how political leaders are instrumental in the segregation of citiesCITATION Chr \p ": 29" \l 1033 (Silver and John V. Moeser: 29). The authors note in their seminal book, of how blacks negotiated with white political leaders to allow for the expansion of black neighborhoods. The theme of inequality is prevalent in these negotiations. Noting, that the blacks did not have representation in the political system governing these cities. As such, the white leaders even when well meaning, catered largely to the needs of the white majority. The white were their constituents. Thus, they worked to ensure their advantage was entrenched.
Wassell Randolph said that there was a natural zoning of the racesCITATION Wil \p :39 \l 1033 (Wilson:39). The argument was predicated on a false assumption that the blacks chose to live in the less desirable places in the city. Randolph as a principal member of the City planning committee had the ability to influence policy. Thus, blacks were directed and provided space for housing in areas that were not attractive to whites. Race was the qualifying factor that drove the city planning committee. This would simple action would have a domino effect. The Supreme Court, ...