Blacks and Other Racial Minorities: The Significance of Color in Inequality

This paper seeks to explain why certain raciavethnic minority groups (i.e., Asians, Hispanics, and Native Americans) have achieved higher socioeconomic statuses than blacks. Data from census reports and previous research suggest that the lower socioeconomic status of blacks is due primarily to greater discrimination against blacks in housing, resulting in a high level of residential segregation, limited suburbanization, and reduced employment and educational opportunities. Unlike members of the other raciavethnic minority groups, blacks cannot expect that future improvements in the social and economic status of blacks will necessarily lead to residential integration and greater suburbanization. The implication is that color- i.e., black color-remains a significant factor in inequality in American society.