Charlotte's SYSTEMIC INEQUALITY and racist history
First, take a look to completely understand the extent and extremity of Charlotte's institutionally divided areas before we dive into the history.
Images courtesy of FORCHARLOTTE and ESRI ArcGis
The correlation between medium household income and % minority races between the 2 graphs are blatant. As such, Charlotte ranks last (50/50) among major cities ranked by economic mobility, or the ability to escape generational poverty after being born into it.
The (current) future doesn't look too bright either, given that 1/5 Charlotte Mecklenburg children live in poverty, and 95.3% of children in poverty within Charlotte are minorities (U.S. Census Bureau, 2013 American Community Survey).
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But why specifically Charlotte? Why are we comparatively worse at integrating?
Charlotte's racist post-slavery policies.
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Specifically, Charlotte Agenda (https://www.charlotteagenda.com/20730/how-charlotte-came-to-be-a-segregated-city/) explains that shortly after the 13th amendment was passed, both black and white families lived more of less, side by side within the city limits (I-277) at the time.
Charlotte Agenda continues to explain how the complete socioeconomic divide we see today took about 3 entirely conscious decisions: North Carolina's white supremacy campaign (1898), federal red lining (1930s), and urban renewal (1950s, 1960s), and the article explains in greater detail.
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However, Charlotte's past is unalterable, and besides donating money to altruistic causes or foundations, how can you make a deeper, rooted change in our functioning society?
Contributing to social capital. Regardless of money you may have to donate, or petitions you have signed, the exigent bridge between the major two communities in Charlotte will never truly be repaired until the networking ability on either side is more or less equal.
There is a large population in Charlotte willing to give back their time and knowledge to their community. If you feel you feel you are able to contribute, signing up and providing someone with social capital and contacts that they may never have otherwise may have the ability to change their life. The best part about contributing to social capital is that you know exactly where your time and energy is going, and will simultaneously experience your contributions manifest for your fellow Charlottean.
Sign up at the mentor registration page.