W.E.B. Du Bois, The Color Line, and Urban Sociology
Introduction
Overview of W.E.B. Du Bois's work and contributions:
Main topics: The color line (racial segregation and inequalities)
in recent decades the factor by which the white households wealth exceeds black households wealth hovered around 6-7 => still a large racial wealth gap
primary wealth gap issues: housing makes up the major item (home ownership)
Urban sociology: Focus on segregation and its impacts
Reference to Massi and Denton's book American Apartheid
Du Bois's Key Concepts
The Color Line
The persistent racial inequalities in the United States
Economic dimension of racial inequality:
Wealth inequality between white and black households over the last 150 years
Significance of home ownership disparities
Mortality and life expectancy rates:
Decline in mortality rates over 100 years, but persistent gaps between white and black populations
Educational disparities:
Differences in bachelor's degree attainment among different racial groups
white population holds significantly more beachlor degrees than hispanic or black population (despite a common increase)
Du Boisâs Background
Born in 1868, the son of freed slaves, attended Fisk College and Harvard University
Exchange at German University, interaction with influential figures like William James
Career path:
Empirical sociology work e.g., The Philadelphia Negro
Formed the Atlanta School of Sociology
Shift to public intellectual reform work, e.g., joining the NAACP, major publication The Souls of Black Folk
Major Contributions and Theoretical Framework
Double Consciousness:
Describes the psychological dualism experienced by African Americans
Quote from The Souls of Black Folk: Double self â American and Negro
Criticism of Biological Definitions of Race:
Race defined by common history, language, traditions (socially constructed)
Urban Sociology and Du Bois's Influence
The Philadelphia Negro
A study on racial segregation in Philadelphia's Seventh Ward
Early use of color mapping for urban sociology
Founding work in urban sociology
Comparison with Chicago School
The Chicago School's Urban Ecology theory
Concentric city growth pattern
Competition for urban space and social-spatial order
Measures of Segregation
Dissimilarity Index:
Measures evenness of distribution of minority-majority groups
Exposure Index:
Measures likelihood of interaction between minority and majority group members
Racial Segregation in Historical Context
Early 20th Century to Post-War America
Initial lower segregation levels before the Great Migration
Rise of segregation during and after the Great Migration due to racial violence and institutional racism
Role of institutions like neighborhood associations and real estate boards in maintaining segregation
Post-World War II Developments
Introduction of government policies and their impacts:
HOLC and FHA mortgage practices (redlining)
Public housing and urban redevelopment
Effects of suburbanization and the creation of white suburbs vs. black inner-city areas
Impact of Segregation
Context Effects:
Neighborhood impacts on individual outcomes
Higher rates of educational, labor market disadvantages for those in segregated areas
Analysis of Segregation Trends
Long-run Trends
Peak segregation in the 1970s
Gradual decrease due to gentrification, immigration, and changes in mortgage lending
Continued high levels of segregation in American cities today
International Comparisons
American cities exhibit higher segregation levels compared to European cities
Examples include different clusters like liberal (Anglo) cities vs. Social Democratic (Scandinavian) cities
Conclusion
W.E.B. Du Boisâs contributions to sociology remain relevant, highlighting ongoing issues of racial segregation
Urban sociology remains a vital field for understanding and addressing these inequalities
Further Reading and Resources
Read Massi and Dentonâs American Apartheid
Biography: Lewis, David Levering. W.E.B. Du Bois: A Biography of a Race, 1868-1919.