Ferguson
Segregation between different races within the United States has always existed. But unlike other areas, St. Louis falls into the top 10 of the most segregated. Since 1948, the Supreme Court upheld laws that prevented African Americans from moving into the suburbs of the St. Louis County. Moreover, as the whites moved from the city (St. Louis) to the St. Louis County, they used “exclusionary zoning tactics—including large, single-family lot requirements that prohibited apartment buildings” as an economic barrier against low-income households—which comprised of mostly African Americans at the time. [2]
In order to escape racial discrimination and unfair zoning policies, many African Americans moved to suburbs like Ferguson, an area built before restrictions were enacted. The city of Ferguson provided African Americans affordable housing through its multifamily units (apartments). As African American populations increased, the white population declined. A consequence of the zoning restrictions placed in St. Louis was racial segregation. By the 2010 U.S. Census, African Americans comprised of about 67% of Ferguson’s total population. Despite this statistic, the majority of the government and police force for Ferguson was white. This racial disparity, which existed for many decades, caused racial tensions to be high among the city. [3]
The most recent tragedy, in which a white policeman shot and killed an unarmed African American, caused racial tensions to further escalate. Given the long history of zoning-induced-segregation and racial issues surrounding the city of Ferguson, it is not a surprise to see the ongoing protests for justice. [2]
In order to escape racial discrimination and unfair zoning policies, many African Americans moved to suburbs like Ferguson, an area built before restrictions were enacted. The city of Ferguson provided African Americans affordable housing through its multifamily units (apartments). As African American populations increased, the white population declined. A consequence of the zoning restrictions placed in St. Louis was racial segregation. By the 2010 U.S. Census, African Americans comprised of about 67% of Ferguson’s total population. Despite this statistic, the majority of the government and police force for Ferguson was white. This racial disparity, which existed for many decades, caused racial tensions to be high among the city. [3]
The most recent tragedy, in which a white policeman shot and killed an unarmed African American, caused racial tensions to further escalate. Given the long history of zoning-induced-segregation and racial issues surrounding the city of Ferguson, it is not a surprise to see the ongoing protests for justice. [2]
References:
1. "Protests Continue In Ferguson After Police Kill Unarmed Teen." Here Now RSS. Scott Olson/Getty Images, 14 Aug. 2014. Web. 29 Aug. 2014.<http://hereandnow.wbur.org/2014/08/14/ferguson-jelani-cobb>.
2. The Editorial Board. "The Death of Michael Brown." The New York Times. The New York Times, 12 Aug. 2014. Web. 30 Aug. 2014.<http://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/13/opinion/racial-history-behind-the-ferguson-protests.html?_r=0>.
3. "American FactFinder - Results." American FactFinder - Results. United States Census Bureau, n.d. Web. 31 Aug.2014.<http://factfinder2.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?src=bkmk>.