Latinos Need to Stay in Their Place: Contemporary Latino Segregation

• In Event: 023 - Regular Session. Latino/as

Abstract

Recently a national newspaper article addressed high levels of Latino segregation and more importantly how little attention is being paid to this problem. While most of the academic literature has focused on African-Americans when addressing segregation this is also affecting Latino education and upward mobility. This study draws from forty in-depth interviews with whites in Orange County California, an area with high levels of Latino and Asian residents. I show whites’ choice to segregate not only speaks to how they negatively perceive Latinos, but also how they create hostile environments for Latinos. My data supports Blumer’s group threat model in regards to white’s feeling threatened by an increase in the Latino population. Yet, whites have positive sentiments towards Asian and choose to live near them. I argue that whites’ preference for integration is not based on size of group, but rather whether they characterize the group as inferior or not. Integration has been touted as an American principle, yet as the country becomes more and more diverse, whites are choosing to share space with those they feel similar to and choosing to construct physical barriers with Latinos and Blacks. Theoretically, and practically questions about integration are being tested.

Author

• Celia Olivia Lacayo, UCLA