3 ms·

I think about desegregation in terms of physics. The basic idea is that, once the legal barriers of segregation where taken down, different groups would begin t

I think about desegregation in terms of physics. The basic idea is that, once the legal barriers of segregation where taken down, different groups would begin to mingle together, like in diffusion, and eventually the country will become more uniform. There are, however, two problems with this. First, diffusion will take a long time, I'm guessing on the order of centuries. Second, in highly segregated areas people may not want to be the first to cross those racial divides. I imagine it would be uncomfortable to be the only black person in an entirely white school, and vice versa. So there's this "surface tension" keeping some of the old barriers up. Cultural progress can only do so much: the quickest way to create mixing is by introducing energy. I'm not completely sure what the "energy" is this analogy refers to, but perhaps some sort of incentive for a black person to move to a white neighborhood, and vice versa. I'm curious to hear what other people's thoughts might be on this.

Kinnard 10y ago
Very interesting. I wonder if you could get readily available quantitative information that supports this sort of model. It does strike me as descriptive. One thing that I think can have a big impact is a third group: latinos or east asians who will have different diffusivity and break up the existing monocultures. Settle Syrian Refugees in Cleveland, Mississippi?! They'll probably be happy to go to any school not in a war zone.
BlahBoy3 10y ago
I go to what could be considered a fairly diverse high school, and in my experience, your comment is pretty much right on the money- especially the second part. Sure, there may not be legal barriers per say, but take one look at the cafeteria and you'll realize that there's a clear racial divide (Hispanics only hanging out with other Hispanics, etc.). Like you, I don't really know how to change this, short of just calling everyone out (which would probably only breed more tension).
- Jtsummers 10y ago
  You don't call anyone out. You just wait one to two generations. Once the community is mixed, physically, social mixing and diversity will occur. By keeping them physically separated you impede social integration.

Kinnard 10y ago

Very interesting. I wonder if you could get readily available quantitative information that supports this sort of model. It does strike me as descriptive. One thing that I think can have a big impact is a third group: latinos or east asians who will have different diffusivity and break up the existing monocultures. Settle Syrian Refugees in Cleveland, Mississippi?! They'll probably be happy to go to any school not in a war zone.

BlahBoy3 10y ago

I go to what could be considered a fairly diverse high school, and in my experience, your comment is pretty much right on the money- especially the second part. Sure, there may not be legal barriers per say, but take one look at the cafeteria and you'll realize that there's a clear racial divide (Hispanics only hanging out with other Hispanics, etc.). Like you, I don't really know how to change this, short of just calling everyone out (which would probably only breed more tension).

Jtsummers 10y ago
You don't call anyone out. You just wait one to two generations. Once the community is mixed, physically, social mixing and diversity will occur. By keeping them physically separated you impede social integration.