Multiculturalism is a popular bogeyman for social conservatives, who argue that the presence of different faiths, nationalities, and cultures in a community erodes any sense of cohesion and unity. Research from Johns Hopkins University suggests otherwise, and argues that such diverse communities are actually much happier than their more homogenous peers.
The study found that people living in the most diverse communities in Washington, D.C. were happy with where they live. The researchers hope that their findings might provoke better understanding about the realities of living in diverse and culturally mixed neighborhoods.
“There’s a perception that integrated neighborhoods are unstable, particularly because of white flight, but I think this research will help people see that the long-term viability of diverse neighborhoods is possible,” the researcher explains.
Multiracial neighborhoods
Previous research into this matter has found that white residents can often view multiracial neighborhoods negatively, so the researchers wanted to test if this was true in the case of D.C., which has some of the most racially integrated neighborhoods in the country.
Around 1,500 residents of over 100 multiracial neighborhoods were surveyed in 2016, with a further random sample of people surveyed again in the area in 2018.
The results show that around 70% of residents in these multiracial neighborhoods were happy, with the high figure a pleasant surprise for the researcher.
“The high level of satisfaction shows that attitudes have evolved about living in multiracial neighborhoods,” they say. “Dating back to the ’60s, ’70s, and even into the ’80s, if a neighborhood became integrated it was almost certain to be re-segregated within 10 or 20 years. That’s just not the case anymore.”
Indeed, around a third of respondents said that their neighborhoods had improved, with similar ratios for Blacks and Latinos as for white respondents.
The researcher plans to interview respondents from the 2016 survey to identify factors that affect their satisfaction. He will also research the role race plays in people’s awareness of neighborhoods and where they consider living.
