TED Talk Script

What is residential segregation? One source defines it as the separation of racial

groups in urban space, factors of race and socioeconomic status. When there is division in
neighborhoods because of their social class or race. Those are the main two factors regarding
residential segregation. That is- living in the same area as people in the same or very similar
ethnic group and/or the same or similar financial situation. As humans, we want to be around
others of similar status as us, we have this desire to be comfortable and a way we tend to find
that is by living and surrounding ourselves with people like us.
Ask audience questionsHow many of you live in a neighborhood in a quieter, calmer neighborhood?
How many live in a neighborhood where the majority of people share the same race as you?
How many live in a neighborhood where the majority of people share the same
socioeconomic status as you?
How many live in a neighborhood where the majority of people do not share the same race as
you?
How many live in a neighborhood where the majority of people do not share the same
socioeconomic status as you?
What this looks like in the US: In 2010 a typical lower-income household was located in a tract
that was 41% lower income, a 2% increase since 1980. A typical upper-income household
was located in a tract that was 32% upper income in 2010, a 7% increase since 1980. This
issue of residential segregation has gotten worse than in years past. The typical white person
lived in a tract that was 77% white. The typical Hispanic lived in a tract that was 45%
Hispanic. There are many causes of residential segregation, mainly racial and socioeconomic
status, which are both tied closely together. There are also many effects of residential
segregation, for example our school systems.
Residential segregation has a major impact on schools systems and education.
I want you to imagine two kids, one living in a low income neighborhood and one living in a
high income neighborhood. The child living in the high income neighborhood will most likely
have a higher quality education, therefore a better future and career, all because of the
neighborhood they grew up in. The child living in a lower income neighborhood will most likely
have less quality opportunities and a lack of a better and brighter future.
Where there is more residential segregation, there is more segregation in school systems,
lowering academic performance of the underprivileged students. Schools in Southern
California with higher racial minority rate and lower socioeconomic statuses have a lower
Academic Performance Index or API score. There also tends to be less qualified teachers in
those school systems. According to a Civil Rights Project at UCLA, In 2008, students in
intensely segregated schools were close to three times as likely to have a teacher lacking full

segregated schools are not as prepared for college. The UCLA study also said, Across
Southern California counties, intensely segregated and segregated schools of color
experienced a greater shortage of A-G courses and college preparatory teachers than
majority white and Asian schools.

Why should only students from higher income backgrounds receive a higher education? Is
that fair to students from lower socioeconomic status backgrounds to have less of an
education?
Just as statistics have shown that more segregated schools in Southern California do more
poorly academically, just the opposite is true as well. What I mean by this is that more
integrated schools regarding race and socioeconomic statuses tend to have a higher API
scores. Charter schools are prime examples for more integrated school systems. Instead of
enrolling students who live in the immediate neighborhood of the school, some charter
schools have a lottery system where students from anywhere in the county or even other
counties can apply to enroll in the school system. More integration and diversity brings higher
grades. Students are exposed to new ideas and perspectives and all students, regardless of
race or social status, benefit from being in an integrated community. Youth in segregated
schools and neighborhoods will have additional role models to look up to, in seeing more
people around them who are highly educated and successful. This will encourage the
students to push themselves and have hope for a bright future.
On top of a lack of or weaker education for students in residentially segregated areas, there
are also other disadvantages to the community as a whole. According to the US Department
of Housing and Urban Development, Families who pay more than 30 percent of their income
for housing are considered cost burdened and may have difficulty affording necessities such
as food, clothing, transportation and medical care. The California Budget and Policy Center
stated that, Nearly one-quarter of Californians (23.4 percent) lived in poverty each year, on
average. The cost of rent and houses are going increasingly higher, with people continuing to
lose wages and jobs. Because lower income neighborhoods generally have less funding for
public resources for the community, many communities lack access to resources and
opportunities. Opportunities to resources such as parks and playgrounds, museums, libraries,
boys and girls club. The gap and divide between neighborhoods of different racial and
socioeconomic status and increase of poverty rates can influence crime rates. This can
deteriorate a community as well as the residents morale and bring a cycle of poverty to the
community. As, you can see, these disadvantages due to residential segregation can have a
very negative impact on communities and neighborhoods, but unfortunately individuals in
these communities can do little about their situation.
To resolve this issue, we also need to implement more affordable housing through having
more section 8 housing and more variety of housing in neighborhoods. Section 8 housing is
housing where one can qualify for the government to pay for part of the rent for ones house.
What needs to happen is for there to be more of this type of housing in middle and upper

income neighborhoods to bring more integration and diversity of socioeconomic statuses.

Another resolution I mentioned was for there to be more variety in housing options in
neighborhoods. Instead of builders and planners of a neighborhood having the intent of
drawing a specific demographic of people by socioeconomic status, the builders/planners
would plan out a neighborhood that includes many different housing opportunities inviting
people from all socioeconomic and racial backgrounds. Such options can include apartments,
buying houses, renting houses, and section 8 housing, to suit the needs of those seeking
housing who have a variety of different incomes.
Do you see a lot of opportunity for a variety of incomes to reside in your neighborhood?
Is there a lot of variety of housing and affordable housing around you?
Is it important to you that you live in a diverse neighborhood and community?
You see how much this issue of residential segregation is affecting us and our communities.
As individuals we cant fix this in one night, its impossible. What we do ask of you is to open
your eyes to problem that exists and recognize importance diversity and integration in
communities/neighborhoods. Thats not much to ask, simply open your eyes to this issue and
realize the effects of residential segregation around you.