With the release of the 2010 Census data, ERASE Racism undertook an effort to compare the levels of segregation and the racial disparities between 2000 and 2010. The results are cause for great concern. Although Long Island has become more racially diverse, it continues to be one of the most segregated regions in the country, ranking tenth in terms of the highest levels of segregation between blacks and whites. Between 2000 and 2010 the level of segregation between blacks and whites has barely decreased, remaining extremely high, while the levels of segregation between whites and Latinos and whites and Asians has actually increased. Racial segregation on Long Island creates disparities in access to resources and opportunities, with black and Latino communities consistently getting the short end of the stick. Through an analysis of 2009-2010 New York State Department of Education Report Cards, it is clear that Long Island's racially and economically segregated schools reflect the neighborhood segregation. The region's long history of housing discrimination and deficient fair housing enforcement practices have produced not only severe residential segregation but also racially segregated schools and disparities in the quality of education between low, average, and high need school districts.
MAIN FINDINGS
- Based on 2000 and 2010 Census data, Long Island continues to be one of the most racially segregated regions in the country with segregation between blacks and whites remaining extremely high and segregation between Latinos, Asians and whites increasing. Since the Latino population is the fastest growing racial/ethnic group on Long Island, their increased isolation, along with the continuing very high black to white segregation levels, is cause for great concern.
- Long Island is more segregated by race than by income. Black and Latino families, regardless of their income, experience high levels of racial segregation. For example, on average a black household that earns more than $75,000 resides in a neighborhood with a similar level of exposure to whites as a black household that earns less than $40,000.
- Racial segregation, combined with concentrated poverty in majority black and Latino neighborhoods, upholds a public school system that is separate and unequal. For example, 91% of all students in high need districts are black or Latino.
- Few of Long Island's black and Latino students have access to the highest performing schools on Long Island. Based on graduation rates, 3% of black students, 5% of Latino students, 28% of white students and 30% of Asian students on Long Island have access to the highest performing school districts. Diversity is not a benefit to the region if residents continue to live in segregated neighborhoods and students continue to attend racially and economically segregated schools. Education equity can only be achieved through addressing housing discrimination and by creating education policies at the state and local level that promotes racially integrated schools and classrooms.