Money is one of the most prevalent aspects of any society. The financial status of a nation affects how they operate and how their citizens live. With this also comes abuse of money, and economic inequality. Some of the most prevailing issues with economic inequality can be seen in housing, education, and healthcare. However, the problem isn’t rooted in finances. The problem is that race plays a significant role in where finances are distributed. For instance, poverty is concentrated in low-income neighborhoods which results in limited resources. This is usually accompanied by a lower quality education for children in these communities. Schools are more likely to be underfunded and understaffed. Crime rates and litter are more noticeable because there is less attention and money dedicated to these areas.
There is history to this form of environmental racism. In the early 1900s, there used to be a process called redlining. It was denounced as an illegal practice but it used to contribute to housing segregation (Gross). Redlining prioritized white and middle or high income families, excluding predominantly black families seeking housing. A way this has become modernized is with gentrification. While it may help support workers and businesses, gentrification ultimately makes it challenging for low income families by leaving them at risk of displacement.
Economic inequality was especially brought to light during the COVID-19 pandemic. In New York for example, the statistics for the Bronx and Manhattan were extremely different although they are both boroughs right next to each other. “Almost 60% of people in the Bronx pay more than they can afford for housing” (Morgan). This is why the Bronx has more multi-family homes and naturally less room for social isolation when a member of a family becomes sick. The Bronx also has more essential workers who can’t afford days off or can’t work from home. There are less doctors, hospitals, and lower quality infrastructure. More residents in the Bronx also have health conditions like asthma and obesity. This is again correlated to economic inequality because there is more air pollution and more access to unhealthy food at cheaper costs.
These are just a few small-scale examples of how economic inequality can be seen in everyday life. Now imagine this way of living in every state, not just New York. This is how people, especially those of color and low income backgrounds, suffer more and are at higher risks of death, sickness, illiteracy, poverty, and more. While this is happening, the wealthy continue to accumulate wealth and don’t feel the negative effects to the same extent.
While this is a very challenging problem to digress, there are certainly many solutions. A large-scale solution is to reform the national budget. Congress needs to devote more funding in education and healthcare. Adults shouldn’t have to choose between their health or their jobs. Children shouldn’t have to choose between education or their safety. Some small-scale solutions that local representatives can do is allow taxpayers to have a say in where their taxes are spent on. There should also be more resources, funding, and efforts made for the most vulnerable neighborhoods and populations. There shouldn’t be priority given to those with the most money, but those who need the most help. The systems in place should be designed to help everyone succeed from the beginning, and that means reimagining race and equality in America.
Gross, Terry. “A 'Forgotten History' of How the U.S. Government Segregated America.” NPR, 3 May 2017, https://www.npr.org/2017/05/03/526655831/a-forgotten-history-of-how-the-u-s-government-segregated-america.
Secon, Holly, et al. “The Bronx Has Nearly Twice as Many COVID-19 Cases and Hospitalizations as Manhattan. These Charts Reveal Why.” Business Insider, 29 May 2020, https://www.businessinsider.com/why-bronx-coronavirus-crisis-worse-than-manhattan-2020-5#t.
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