Extralegal segregation

2014
united states

Extralegal segregation refers to the practice of segregation that is not officially or legally mandated by the government but is still enforced or observed by societal norms, customs, or individual actions. It occurs when individuals or communities engage in voluntary separation based on race, ethnicity, religion, or other social characteristics, despite there being no explicit laws or policies requiring such discrimination.

An example of extralegal segregation is the practice of "redlining" in the United States during the 20th century. Redlining involved banks and other lending institutions drawing maps and designating certain neighborhoods as high-risk areas for loans based on racial demographics. This resulted in limited access to housing loans and other financial services for minority communities, effectively segregating them from predominantly white neighborhoods.

Another example is the formation of ethnic enclaves in cities where certain immigrant groups or ethnic minorities concentrate in specific neighborhoods. This can occur through self-segregation, as individuals are more comfortable living among people with similar cultural backgrounds, or due to various economic, social, or historical factors.

Extralegal segregation can have significant impacts on access to resources, educational opportunities, healthcare, and other amenities for marginalized communities. While deemed extralegal, such practices can perpetuate social inequalities and reinforce systemic discrimination.

Further reading

Powers J.M. (2014) "On separate paths: The Mexican American and African American legal campaigns against school segregation", American Journal of Education, 121(1), pp. 29-55. University of Chicago Press. DOI: 10.1086/678124