On the Divide: Examining Residential Segregation in Marin County, California
Graduation Date
5-2015
Document Type
Senior Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelor of Arts
Department
Humanities and Cultural Studies
Department or Program Chair
Chase B. Clow, PhD
First Reader
Julia van der Ryn, MA
Abstract
Today, segregation is a term rarely used or heard in public discourse, as it has been illegal in the U.S for the past 50 years. However, despite its illegalization, scholars and sociologists have noted that patterns of segregation are still a prominent feature of many U.S counties, cities and suburbs. Reflecting upon my experiences as a black woman living in an all-white community, this paper offers a critical analysis of the causes and consequences of residential segregation in Marin County, California: a county of urban and suburban communities just 20 minutes north of San Francisco. Despite its liberal image, Marin County is racially segregated. 80% of Marin County residents are white. Two of its minority populations are geographically concentrated: the majority of African-Americans live in Marin City and the majority of Latinos live in the Canal district in San Rafael. Examination of current statistical research reveals that these racially segregated communities suffer from the most social disparity with regards to education, income and standard of living. Current literature suggests that Marin’s affordable housing issue is perpetuating segregation in Marin. The resistance to the creation of low-to-moderate income affordable housing by many Marin residents is fueled by a strong and vocal desire to protect a ‘quality of life’. Research suggests that this attitude stems from a fear of the racialized ‘other’ and the need to preserve white privilege, ultimately contributing to the levels of residential segregation and social inequity experienced by low-income minorities in Marin today.
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