Tuesday, March 17, 2015

How economic inequality intersects with racial inequality

In this country, we talk about racial inequality, and we talk about economic inequality, but unfortunately, these are often separate conversations. Yet race and economics intersect in powerful ways. My latest piece, for Pacific Standard magazine, looks at the social science of racial economic inequality. I examine some of the reasons for the stubborn persistence of race-based economic inequality in America, and point the way to some solutions that could alleviate it. 

What would work? Here's a hint: school reform efforts are probably a bust, but policies such as early childhood education, an end to mass incarceration, and stepped up enforcement of housing discrimination laws could make serious headway.