Opening the Door to Opportunity: Perspectives from Below

• In Event: Confronting Urban Inequalities

Abstract

Americans often balance equality and liberty by focusing on equality of opportunity rather than equality of results. Our national rags-to-riches narrative suggests that everyone has the opportunity to succeed if they apply themselves. Although the U.S. prides itself on being a land of opportunity, available opportunities do not always result in the success of those who work hard and play by the rules. Those seeking to mitigate inequity present access to opportunities as a major strategy (e.g., responses to “the opportunity gap” include projects providing access to better political, educational and economic opportunities). One frustration faced by community leaders is that targeted populations do not always avail themselves of the opportunities that are provided. This paper addresses “opportunity" and related decision-making processes from the perspective of community members to whom opportunities are directed. How do they believe opportunities are created? What obstacles do they face in accessing opportunities? Do they see and take opportunities with a view to larger goals? What do they suggest would be an effective way to provide opportunities in order to increase societal equity? In sum, what do opportunities look like from below? In a follow up to a previous study addressing how community leaders in New Haven, Connecticut, define and describe the concept of opportunity, in this paper we conduct similar interviews and focus groups of community members. An understanding of how disadvantaged populations perceive opportunities facilitates the efforts of community leaders to address inequity.

Authors

• Theresa Marchant-Shapiro, Southern Connecticut State University

• Sousan Arafeh, Southern Connecticut State University