Economic inequality, social segregation and cultural diversity Flashcards
Social segregation
Manchester seemed to be a place of racial harmony in the latter part of the 20th century. Asian and white children mixed well in primary and secondary schools
In 2001 unexpected events dramatically changed this picture. In May the town of Oldham experienced riots over three successive nights, and 86 police officers were injured.
Detroit USA
Detroit provides another interesting example of social, racial and cultural segregation.
In the early 20th century, thousands of black Americans migrated to Detroit for work, largely from the south. Even in these early years there were tensions, as whites viewed black workers as a threat to their jobs and communities, and neighbourhoods became racially segregated.
Black families were frequently charged much higher rents than white families, and couldn’t live in some neighbourhoods at all
Deindustrialisation in Detroit
Prevented black families moving to white areas. Blacks were confined to the inner city where there was a shrinking job base, and many fell into poverty and crime.
Detroit remains the most racially unequal metropolis in the USA; it has a largely black inner city, with whites living predominantly in the surrounding suburbs
Mumbai
Mumbai is now the most socially segregated city in India. There is segregation between rich and poor, and also between cultural and religious groups
Extreme polarities between rural and urban areas in nations has led to the rural–urban migration phenomenon. This encourages rural people to migrate into more developed cities, in search of a better standard of living and employment opportunities. This migration trend eventually leads to overpopulation in cities; it also contributes to pressure on services like housing and health, elevated levels of poverty, illiteracy and crime.
