- Results of longitudinal research that demonstrate effects of desegregation have been positive
- Legal trends show steps forward and backward toward racial desegregation
- Desegregated education prepares Black and White Americans for an interracial world.
- Behind desegregation’s benefit;
- 1) Involves interracial contact
- 2) erodes avoidance learning
- 3) blacks gains access to formerly all-White social networks
- 4) teaches interracial interaction skills
- 5) avoids the discriminatory stigma of Black institutions
- Misconceptions about desegregation:
- 1) desegregated schools have failed
- 2) desegregation causes massive “white flight” thus interracial schools are impossible to achieve
- 3) desegregation necessarily entails massive busing
- 4) desegregation has become increasingly unpopular with Americans of all races
- Important attention should be given to residential segregation.