PRESENT REALITIES

Springfield exhibits one of the highest disparities in median income between Black and white residents in the United States. This economic inequality is sustained by severe residential segregation, resulting in underfunded schools and limited economic opportunities in segregated neighborhoods. Consequently, poverty is entrenched, and social mobility for Black residents is restricted. The lack of investment in these communities results in fewer job opportunities, poorer educational outcomes, and inadequate infrastructure, reinforcing a cycle of poverty and segregation. Despite efforts, these disparities persist, maintaining systemic inequities and hindering equitable growth and prosperity. 
 
The cycle of disinvestment limits economic mobility in several ways. Without access to affordable loans and mortgages, residents in redlined communities struggle to purchase homes, a primary means of building wealth in America. This lack of homeownership deprives families of the financial stability and equity associated with property ownership. Lower property values lead to reduced tax revenues, resulting in less funding for essential public services like schools, infrastructure, and healthcare. Underfunded schools struggle to provide quality education, limiting future prospects for young people in these neighborhoods. Poor infrastructure and healthcare contribute to a lower quality of life and deter businesses from investing in the area, reducing job opportunities. 
 
The perpetuation of poverty in these communities involves not only financial hardship but also a lack of social mobility. Children growing up in poverty have limited access to the resources and opportunities needed to improve their socioeconomic status, trapping them in a cycle of disadvantage. Furthermore, disinvestment reinforces segregation by deepening the divide between affluent and impoverished areas, often along racial lines. As wealthier, predominantly white neighborhoods continue to thrive, communities of color remain isolated and marginalized. This segregation fosters environments where systemic inequities persist, making it challenging for these communities to achieve equitable growth and prosperity. 

​

Springfield's East and West sides exemplify these disparities. The West side generally has higher median household incomes, higher property values, and better-funded schools. It benefits from more healthcare facilities, grocery stores, and recreational amenities, as well as well-maintained infrastructure. In contrast, the East side faces higher poverty rates, more rental properties, and lower home values. Schools on the East side often struggle with less funding and lower test scores. Higher crime rates and inadequate infrastructure further diminish the quality of life on the East side, perpetuating economic inequality and social division. However, we note here that humans do not resort to crime because they want to; they participate in crime because they have few choices when other means of safety and economic mobility are systematically choked out. These combined factors create significant barriers to breaking the cycle of poverty and achieving long-term economic and social advancement. ​​​

​

South Grand Avenue, a major east-west route through Springfield, offers a clear view of the city's racial and economic divide. The railroad tracks mark the boundary: to the east lie the city’s most impoverished neighborhoods, primarily home to Black residents.

​

Our research aims to shed light on this reality. If you would like to assist us in doing so, please click the button below to take our online survey.