Mapping Race and Housing Segregation in America | Technical Guide

Summary

This video introduces a mapping tool developed to explore historical data on homeownership and neighborhood segregation, specifically focusing on the Home Owners' Loan Corporation (HOLC) grading system. It highlights how HOLC grades, such as A, B, C, and D, were assigned to neighborhoods in Oakland and Berkeley. The tool overlays these historical grades with modern maps, offering insights into the historical impact of redlining and racial segregation. The presenter also encourages viewers to reach out for technical support and further inquiries, with a contact email provided for assistance.

Takeaways

• 😀 The video introduces the 'Mapping Race in America' tool, created by the Othering and Belonging Institute, which provides data on racial segregation across the U.S. from 1980 to 2020.
• 😀 The tool allows users to explore racial composition, diversity, and segregation at various geographical levels, including census tracts, cities, and metropolitan areas.
• 😀 Users can zoom into specific neighborhoods to view detailed racial data and trends over time, helping to better understand changes in racial composition.
• 😀 The tool includes several indices to measure segregation, including the Segregation Index, which visualizes levels of segregation across different areas.
• 😀 The Dissimilarity Index is featured, showing how evenly racial groups are distributed in specific locations, such as within neighborhoods or cities.
• 😀 The Exposure Index shows the racial composition of the neighborhoods where typical members of each racial group reside, reflecting daily experiences of segregation.
• 😀 Advanced measures like the Divergence Index highlight differences in racial composition between smaller and larger areas, offering insights into localized segregation.
• 😀 The Entropy Score is included to reflect diversity levels, indicating how balanced racial representation is across neighborhoods, though it is not a direct measure of segregation.
• 😀 The tool also incorporates the Location Quotient, which illustrates the over- or under-representation of racial groups in certain neighborhoods compared to larger geographic areas.
• 😀 Historical context is provided through digitized government redlining maps, which reveal how past policies contributed to current patterns of segregation in various cities.
• 😀 The tool is designed to help users understand the dynamics of segregation, diversity, and integration within their communities, with accessible features for exploring and interpreting the data.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the video script?

The video script focuses on explaining the historical context and significance of the Home Owners' Loan Corporation (HOLC) grades, particularly in relation to the neighborhood tracts in Oakland and Berkeley, and how they are mapped and analyzed using a digital mapping tool.

What does the term 'HOLC grades' refer to in the video?

HOLC grades refer to the classifications given to neighborhoods by the Home Owners' Loan Corporation in the 1930s. These grades (A, B, C, D) were used to assess the creditworthiness of areas, with 'A' being the most desirable and 'D' being the least.

How were the HOLC grades visually represented in the video?

The HOLC grades were represented using a digital map overlay, where different neighborhoods in Oakland and Berkeley were color-coded according to their respective grades (A, B, C, and D).

Why are the HOLC grades important to understanding local history?

The HOLC grades are significant because they reflect historical practices of redlining and discrimination, where certain neighborhoods, especially those with higher minority populations, were unfairly deemed undesirable for investment, which had long-lasting economic and social effects.

What specific area was mentioned in the video as being a lower-grade neighborhood?

The video mentioned that the neighborhoods surrounding the office tract in Central Berkeley, particularly along University Avenue, were designated as grade 'C', which is one of the lower grades assigned by the HOLC.

What does the video encourage viewers to do with the digital map tool?

The video encourages viewers to use the mapping tool to explore the historical HOLC grades of various neighborhoods, with a specific focus on areas in Oakland and Berkeley, to gain a deeper understanding of the local historical context.

What is the purpose of the digital mapping tool described in the video?

The digital mapping tool allows users to view and interact with the historical HOLC grades overlaid on modern maps, helping to visualize the historical context of neighborhood development and the lingering effects of past discriminatory policies.

What was the significance of the Home Owners' Loan Corporation (HOLC) during the 1930s?

The HOLC was a government agency established during the Great Depression to refinance home loans. It is most known for its practice of creating 'residential security maps' that marked neighborhoods with different grades based on their perceived stability and desirability, often reinforcing racial and economic segregation.

What does the video suggest about the value of learning about HOLC grades today?

The video suggests that understanding the historical HOLC grades is important for recognizing the ongoing effects of redlining and racial segregation, and how these practices continue to shape communities today.

What should viewers do if they encounter any technical issues while using the mapping tool?

If viewers encounter technical problems while using the mapping tool, they are encouraged to email the support team at [email protected] for assistance.