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Resegregation and DEI

Resegregation and DEI

Note: the content in this post is adapted from online research including AI.

Our human existential starting point is stated in Genesis 1:27 that “all human beings are created in “Imago Dei … in the image and likeness of God.”

 That said, over time racist oriented terms and concepts such as ‘integration’, ‘segregation’, ‘desegregation’, and ‘resegregation’ have crept into our human vernacular and lived experience. This is in direct contrast to what could be considered the first principle of the Bible and God.

This post focuses on what this country is now experiencing once again at our peril; namely, resegregation and the elimination of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Resegregation refers to the process by which schools, neighborhoods, or other social institutions that had previously been desegregated become racially or socioeconomically segregated again. This trend is particularly notable in the U.S., where despite legal victories during the Civil Rights Movement—such as Brown v. Board of Education (1954), which ruled racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional—many schools and communities have seen a return to segregation due to factors like:

  • Housing Patterns & Redlining – Historical and ongoing housing discrimination has led to racial and economic divides that influence school demographics.
  • School District Policies – Policies such as zoning laws and school choice programs reinforce segregation by keeping students in racially homogenous schools.
  • Court Decisions – Court rulings in the late 20th century have weakened desegregation orders, leading to the decline of federally enforced integration efforts.
  • Economic Inequality – Disparities in wealth and resources among racial groups often result in segregated educational and social experiences.

Resegregation has significant consequences, particularly in education, where predominantly minority schools often receive fewer resources, have larger class sizes, and offer fewer advanced courses, perpetuating racial and socioeconomic disparities.

The current Trump regime has taken several actions that some experts and advocates state will contribute to resegregation, particularly in education and housing policy. These include:

  • Rolling Back School Diversity Guidance – The Trump administration rescinded Obama-era guidelines that encouraged school districts to promote racial diversity through voluntary integration efforts.
  • Weakening Fair Housing Protections – The administration weakened the 2015 Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing (AFFH) rule, which required local governments to address housing segregation. Critics argued that this rollback allowed discriminatory housing patterns to persist.
  • School Choice Policies – The administration promoted school choice measures such as charter schools and voucher programs, which some studies suggest can contribute to racial and economic segregation in schools.

These policies were seen by some as contributing to resegregation by reducing government efforts to promote integration.

The long-term negative consequences of policies that contribute to resegregation have profound societal impacts, particularly in education, economic mobility, and social cohesion. Below are some of the major potential effects:

1. Widening Educational Inequality

  • Underfunded Schools – Schools in predominantly minority and low-income areas often receive fewer resources, leading to outdated materials, larger class sizes, and fewer extracurricular opportunities.
  • Achievement Gaps – Without diverse and well-funded educational environments, racial and socioeconomic achievement gaps will continue to grow, limiting opportunities for students in segregated schools.

2. Declining Economic Mobility

  • Cycle of Poverty – Limited access to quality education restricts career opportunities, making it harder for individuals to break out of poverty.
  • Workforce Disparities – Unequal education leads to disparities in job preparedness, which will affect long-term earnings and economic participation.

3. Reinforcement of Racial Divides

  • Social Fragmentation – Reduced interactions between different racial and socioeconomic groups will increase stereotypes, biases, and misunderstandings.
  • Political Polarization – Segregation can create echo chambers, where communities lack exposure to diverse perspectives, leading to increased political and racial tensions.

4. Housing and Community Segregation

  • Limited Housing Opportunities – Weakening fair housing protections does reinforce patterns of housing segregation, restricting minority access to wealth-building opportunities.
  • Concentrated Poverty – When wealthier populations leave integrated neighborhoods, poorer communities often struggle with declining investments, higher crime rates, and fewer public services.

5. Long-Term Economic Impact on Society

  • Weaker National Economy – A less-educated and less-diverse workforce does hinder innovation and economic growth.
  • Higher Social Costs – Segregation does increase government spending on welfare, healthcare, and criminal justice due to the long-term effects of economic and educational disadvantages.

6. Elimination of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) to our Detriment

Without deliberate efforts to promote integration and equal opportunities, these consequences will deepen racial and economic disparities over time, making it harder to achieve a more equitable society for ALL in the biblical spirit of ‘Imago Dei’ as referenced in Genesis and depicted by Jesus within the Eight Beatitudes.

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