In releasing its “Pittsburgh’s Racial Demographics 2015: Differences and Disparities” report, University of Pittsburgh School of Social Work Dean Larry Davis said the major finding is that the disparities the school’s Center on Race and Social Problems reported in 2007 still exist.
“This comes when disparities are taking center stage in national political discussions. These disparities affect every aspect of our lives,” he said. “Seven years ago, when we released our first report, it was used by foundations and schools, and served as a valuable resource. Relatively little change has occurred in quality of life in Pittsburgh, and the area continues to show major disparities.”
The report covers the same seven areas as the 2007 report: population diversity; families, youth and elderly; education disparities; economic disparities; interracial group disparities; health and mental health, and criminal justice.
Ralph Bangs, the longtime center researcher who retired Dec. 31, joined Davis for the report presentation, announcing the data on educational and economic disparities. He noted that the report used the most recent data available (2011-2012) where possible, but some due to sample sizes, used a five-year average.
On education, he pointed out that preschool enrollment for Blacks is the lowest among the racial groups reported, the others being White, Asian and Hispanic. The same held true for private school enrollment, with Whites and Asians at much higher rates. Not surprisingly, those groups had higher incomes, and much greater wealth.
“If you look at reading and math scores, Whites are mostly graded ‘proficient,’’ he said. “Asians and Hispanics have the disadvantage of speaking a different language at home, yet Black students still have a lower level of proficiency.”
The economic data showed two to three times as many Blacks in poverty here as Whites, and live in more densely segregated communities than either Asians or Hispanics.
“So you have concentrations of poverty, which leads to bad neighborhoods, higher crime and poorer schools,” said Bangs. “But there is no substantial change. The major finding is that these disparities continue to be a major problem.”
One of the more telling bits of data was presented by researcher Sara Berg, who noted the typical White student in the Pittsburgh Area goes to a school that is 90 percent White and most are not poor.
“The typical Black student goes to a school where half the students are Black and the majority of students are poor,” she said.
Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald, who along with Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto attended the report presentation, asked if there were any trends that showed up. Bangs said the report was only that, it contained no analysis or recommendations and that seeing a trend would require even more current data.
Davis said the report is for others to use.
“When we started this center I said our number one purpose is to be useful, to take information and put it in the hands of those who can use it,” he said.
Peduto said at least it could be used to establish a baseline, especially with respect to affordable housing policy he wants to craft.
“It shows there’s a problem that’s been a problem and it has the data we can use as a starting point,” he said. “I’m putting together a housing policy committee and asking (Councilman) Danny Lavelle to chair it. He’s been on this issue for a while and it makes sense to have him lead it.”
The entire report is available Online at crsp.pitt.edu.
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