Why is Cleveland so Racially Divided (Toledo, Lorain: house, transfer to, neighborhoods)

[Cleverfield]

I have grown up in the suburbs all of my life, so up until relatively recently, I have had a very limited perspective on the racial division that is present in Cleveland, but since I have started doing house inspections on the East Side of Cleveland proper, I've come to see just how divided it is. It amazes me that nearly the entire East side of Cleveland proper is one race. Most suburban White people do not venture across the border to the Cleveland neighborhoods, and I doubt many Black people venture far outside of the Black, city neighborhoods. What is responsible for this phenomenon, and what steps can we take to conquer it, and create a more racially integrated city. I have some ideas, but I'd like to hear what other people think.

[maverick808]

Getting my popcorn ready for this one...

[bjimmy24]

I was just talking about this earlier today! It's true, the majority of the east side of Cleveland proper is black, except for a few areas where there is actually some pretty decent diversity (Shaker Square/Larchmere for example). Though I would say that the Heights area is pretty diverse as well, just not in city limits. I am always amazed when I go on the Green/Blue line and transfer to the Red to go to the west side and how quickly the demographics of the people waiting for the train with me change. It's a very complex issue that a lot of cities have to deal with. I am not sure if maybe any other cities have been successful in re-mixing the population, but it'd be interesting to find out if anyone happens to know. I'm not sure what suggestions I'd make. Have to think about it. Thought provoking topic.

[shakeababy]

I have read that the historically black neighborhood in Cleveland before the 50s (with desegregation, and the highways) was around the Central neighborhood. The highway systems pushed black families east, while new housing and white-flight pushed whites farther east. Black population has grown since then, and blacks have continued an easternly migration east, dominating most of the East Side of Cleveland proper. :-)

[tmoh]

I too realized this once I got older. Their would have to be incentives for different races to purchase homes. This has to be a priority of the city. Shaker I believe has done this in the past but shaker is now for its cultural diversity and would like to keep it. There may be a lot of economic segregation. History plays its part. But its not just black and white we has china town majority Hispanics on the west side.

[THOMA GOL]

Maybe it's because I embrace diversity and my eyes are always on the prowl for such a thing in society. I live in Edgewater, but my driving through areas such as Ohio City, Edgewater/Lakewood, Lorain Ave., areas, I see plenty of integration. In actuality, it reminded me of many parts of Toledo within the city limits were there was a time when the majority of the city's neighbors were all together in some form of the auto industry, so there was a common bond shared among all races. When times went hard in the auto industry and jobs were lost, no race was spared, and once again the neighbors shared in each other's hardships, but still seemed to keep a bond and hopefully overcome whatever hardships. I'm not sure if this is the same case study in Cleveland here.

[Cleverfield]

Anyone ever seen this very relevant painting?

Cleveland Clinic removes painting by black artist after complaints of racial bias - Cleveland Arts News & Reviews from The Plain Dealer

[totsuka]

Different cultures....no big deal..except in America....we are too fixed on the color of skin....like minds seek out people that they are comfortable with..

[Killuminati1]

When I first moved here 4 years ago I noticed it. Eastside mainly black folks, west side more of a mix.

[Trackwatch]

Every larger city has racial segregation at some level, most of this segregation is self imposed.

There are White Areas on the East Side and Black areas on the West Side.
Some areas even have integration.

For the most part people like to live around others like them.