Report cites Springfield 'most segregated American city'
Date: 5/24/2013
By G. Michael Dobbs
news@thereminder.comSPRINGFIELD — Is the City of Homes "the most segregated city in America?" A report from the University of Michigan gave Springfield that label based on 2010 census information, but a group of city and state officials provided greater clarity to the accusation.
At a City Council committee meeting chaired by Councilor Bud Williams, Williams said the report, which addressed the isolation of African-American and Latino residents in certain neighborhoods, provided "a snapshot of where we are."
He continued, "It didn't say how we got here."
He said the report indicated "there are cluster of individuals in this city who are still segregated . it doesn't create a good environment in this Valley."
The study, however wasn't just about Springfield, though, as Williams explained the population at question is the roughly half-a-million people who live in Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin counties.
Williams said the meeting "was the first step in an ongoing conversation."
Williams asked how communities such as Longmeadow and East Longmeadow could become diverse.
Erica Johnson, a planner for the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission (PVPC) said the report covered 69 communities. "It's a big geographical area — not solely a city of Springfield issue." She then called Springfield, "an inclusive, diverse city."
State Rep. Benjamin Swan said the report "was an interesting document."
"I'm not sure it would surprise anyone," he added.
Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination Commissioner Jamie Williamson said the state has been working on fair housing issues and urged city residents to hold policymakers accountable.
Geraldine McCafferty, director of the city's Office of Housing, said the city is working with the PVPC on a fair housing study and is looking for comments.
Springfield residents expressed concerns about the racial makeup of the city and how minority populations have been historically treated. Michaelann Bewsee noted that despite 48 percent of the population of the city is comprised of people of color there are predominately white neighborhoods such as 16 Acres.
Resident David Gaby spoke of policies that pushed people out of the city and into certain neighborhood as well.
Old Hill Neighborhood Council member Jay Griffin said racial issues are 'a big secret." He asked, "It took a national survey to come up with this?"
Williamson said of the report, "make no mistake Springfield is not the problem." She suggested a community such as Agawam has a diversity problem, not Springfield.
Williams said he "respectfully disagrees just a little bit" with Williamson.
"I'm just saying we have problems in Springfield," he added.
Interestingly enough a web search on this subject revealed a report based on census figures by the Manhattan Institute for Policy Research that described Chicago, Ill. as the most racially segregated city in the nation.
