Wont You Not Be My Neighbor Summary

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Separatism of Race
In Cheryll Cashin’s article, “Won’t You Not Be My Neighbor” discusses the sociology behind separatism of race in neighborhoods. Cashin starts off discussing her own experience with buying a home and the neighborhood she chose. Delving further into her own investigation, she realized that there was major separatism between different neighborhoods. These neighborhoods would have correlating traits depending on the percentage of white or black people who lived in that area. Cashin found that when there was a high percentage of white people living in the neighborhood, the housing cost were higher, education was better, socioeconomic status is improved, etc. Cashin then traces the reasons as to why people tend to choose to live in these non-diverse neighborhoods. Cashin argues that it stems from unconscious past racial experiences. White people tend to want to stick to what they find comforting, …show more content…

Black people tend to want the same. Society tends to find danger or a sense of uncomfortableness when dealing a race that is not their own. Therefore, Cashin insinuates that the supposed “segregation” is actually coming from society itself. However, Cashin does provide examples countering the argument that it all stems from the home buyers. She discusses various lawsuits in which the realtor is the guiding hand in perpetuating these non-diverse communities. Cashin also explores integration with African Americans and white neighborhoods. Ultimately, those who try to integrate suffer more struggles and racism than their white counterparts. Lastly, Cashin concludes her findings by providing ways in which cities have tried to integrate neighborhoods. She specifically applauds public works

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