Do you need this or any other assignment done for you from scratch?
We have qualified writers to help you.
We assure you a quality paper that is 100% free from plagiarism and AI.
You can choose either format of your choice ( Apa, Mla, Havard, Chicago, or any other)
NB: We do not resell your papers. Upon ordering, we do an original paper exclusively for you.
NB: All your data is kept safe from the public.
Introduction
Racial integration is a component of a prosperous society, especially in places where diversity is inevitable. A city or neighborhood with diverse races living harmoniously with one another enjoys benefits such as peace, justice, equality, and respect. Despite its importance, the heterogenic of races is often problematic. Researchers attempt to explore the concept of integration in a multicultural society. This article tackles the effect of integration and racial composition of neighborhoods on civic affairs.
Effect of Racial Composition on Civic Affairs
Racial diversity in a city or neighborhood limits citizens’ participation in civic affairs. According to Oliver, social connections are weaker in a diverse neighborhood (201). As a result of reduced links, community members do not have the mobilization opportunities necessary for adequate participation in community life. Lack of mobilization, in turn, results in lower motivation to participate in the affairs. Consequently, fewer people join local groups or voluntary organizations. Minimal familiarization with the people in the neighborhood also leads to less association with people living in the area. As such, the weak social ties between neighbors in a diverse neighborhood lead to reduced civic activities.
The percentage of races in an area also affects the people’s involvement in civic duties. According to Oliver, different races show varying degrees of involvement in civic affairs (201). While some are more active in communities, others are less active. Oliver cited Asian Americans and Latinos as some of the races that are less likely to engage in civic activities in their neighborhood. On the other hand, African Americans and whites embrace civic affairs making them more active. As such, there is variation in the rates of participation in civic matters across races. A survey conducted by the author indicated a smaller proportion of Latinos and Asian Americans who participated in a neighborhood project or belonged to a local social group.
The racial composition also determines the level of civic activity due to its correlations with English language ability. Oliver reports that races such as Latinos and Asian Americans were less fluent in English (207). The survey indicated that participation in civic affairs reduces with a declining English ability. Similarly, the study reported the same civic participation levels among all the main races, including Latinos, blacks, Asians, and whites, even though social activities’ preferences differed across the groups.
Role of Racial Integration
Racial integration has varying impacts on different racial compositions. As the community becomes more heterogeneous, whites tend to have a less sense of trust and belonging to a community. Research conducted by Oliver shows that whites report fewer mistrust cases to their neighbors in predominantly white neighborhoods (206). Cases of mistrust decreased among the whites as the neighborhood become more homogeneous. At the same time, the feeling of belonging increases among the whites; it becomes greater with an increasing percentage of one’s race. The author explains this scenario by citing the existence of fewer civic and social issues in the suburban areas predominantly occupied by whites.
In contrast, other races such as Asian Americans and Latinos are less affected by racial integration. Members of the two races exhibit almost the same rate of civil activity in predominantly white and non-white neighborhoods. As such, Asian Americans do not feel more alienated as a result of moving into a white neighborhood (Oliver, 207). However, the groups are generally less active regardless of their environment. According to the author, the reduced activity may be due to low levels of familiarity with American society and culture among the minorities.
In brief, integration is a complex phenomenon whose impact on communities is difficult to predict. Important factors such as homogeneity or heterogeneity that might determine civic engagement in one race may not have an effect on another group. As such, different groups of people perceive integration differently. Although integration is important for the community’s prosperity, there is a need to adopt a complex approach to achieve meaningful heterogeneity.
Work Cited
Oliver, J. Eric. The paradoxes of integration: Race, neighborhood, and civic life in multiethnic America. University of Chicago Press, 2010.
Do you need this or any other assignment done for you from scratch?
We have qualified writers to help you.
We assure you a quality paper that is 100% free from plagiarism and AI.
You can choose either format of your choice ( Apa, Mla, Havard, Chicago, or any other)
NB: We do not resell your papers. Upon ordering, we do an original paper exclusively for you.
NB: All your data is kept safe from the public.