First Posted: 3/13/2015
BLUFFTON — Dr. Walter Paquin of Bluffton University said there is one simple way to end racism in the United States.
“Quit being racist.”
When asked to narrow down his finding after delving deep into information on the differences between white and black neighborhoods, their cultures, and economic stability, that was the summarized version Paquin gave of his hour and a half presentation at Bluffton University on Friday.
Paquin, an assistant professor of social work at Bluffton, discussed “Ongoing ‘American Apartheid’: St. Louis County 1990-2010.” Paquin’s work examined 20 years of neighborhood mobility to and within St. Louis County, the increased segregation experienced by black county residents and its impact on community members’ lives. Paquin said his findings shed light on the frustration expressed by Ferguson, Missouri, community members after the fatal shooting of Michael Brown, who was shot and killed by a white police officer.
Prior to coming to Bluffton, Paquin had been an area resident, as well as a researcher, as a graduate student at Washington University in neighboring St. Louis. He revisited his study of black suburban neighborhoods last summer. Ironically, his his study began only a few months prior to the tensions in Ferguson.
Paquin’s presentation pointed out striking facts that showed once African-Americans try to move into more respectable communities, Caucasians begin to move out. The study showed that the process accelerates once a neighborhood reaches about 20 percent minorities. He showed several neighborhoods in that went from a relatively low number of minorities to 60 percent or better minority-populated in just a 20-year period. As the population shifted to a higher minority rate, employment rates and property values crept lower. Paquin said that the reason behind it was more due to “unspoken” racism rather than problems within black culture. He gave several examples, including credit discrimination against blacks when trying to buy a home, forcing them to rent, or people being steered certain directions when buying a home. He also said that waste dumps or housing projects tend to be steered towards black communities because of racism.
“Though it is illegal for real estate agets to steer people towards certain neighborhoods, it still happens,” Paquin said.
Paquin said the key to totally ending racism would require people to be tolerant to moderate levels of diversity.
“The solution is for whites to stay put and continue to put the same effort in their communities during the transitioning period,” Paquin said.
