Reading: The Hidden Rules of Race: Barriers to an Inclusive Economy

If you think everyone has an equal chance in our society…you’re probably white. Though I’m a white male, I realized years ago the system has long been rigged to favor those who had money & privilege. A recent book looks at the formal & informal rules put into place to maintain an unequal society.

Why do black families own less than white families? Why does school segregation persist decades after Brown v. Board of Education? Why is it harder for black adults to vote than for white adults? Will addressing economic inequality solve racial and gender inequality as well? This book answers all of these questions and more by revealing the hidden rules of race that create barriers to inclusion today. While many Americans are familiar with the histories of slavery and Jim Crow, we often don’t understand how the rules of those eras undergird today’s economy, reproducing the same racial inequities 150 years after the end of slavery and 50 years after the banning of Jim Crow segregation laws. This book shows how the fight for racial equity has been one of progress and retrenchment, a constant push and pull for inclusion over exclusion. By understanding how our economic and racial rules work together, we can write better rules to finally address inequality in America. (Cambridge University Press)

Here’s a look at the chapters in the book:

1. American Politics and Economic Outcomes for African Americans
2. Stratification Economics
3. Creating Structural Changes
4. The Racial Rules of Wealth
5. The Racial Rules of Income
6. The Racial Rules of Education
7. The Racial Rules of Criminal Justice
8. The Racial Rules of Health
9. The Racial Rules of Democratic Participation
10. What Will It Take to Rewrite the Hidden Rules of Race?

I like that the authors suggest ways to change the rules to level the field, showing us how to get to an inclusive economy. Amazon has a preview of the first pages, it can also be ordered through Left Bank Books.

— Steve Patterson

Sunday Poll: Is Shake Shack A Big Deal For St. Louis?

The first Shake Shack opened in 2004, becoming a huge worldwide hit in the years since. A week from tomorrow St. Louis will join the long list pf cities with a location.

Shake Shack, the immensely popular burger-’n’-shake restaurant chain, has locations in Moscow, Tokyo, Dubai and more.

On Dec. 11, it is coming home to St. Louis.

The chain’s founder, Danny Meyer, grew up in St. Louis (John Burroughs School) before moving to New York to open the iconic Union Square Café and later to take over the Michelin-starred Gramercy Tavern. (Post-Dispatch)

There has been a lot of hype about the opening.  Today’s non-scientific poll seeks to find out what readers think.

This poll will close at 8pm tonight.

— Steve Patterson

St. Louis Board of Aldermen Week 25 of 2017-2018 Session

The St. Louis Board of Aldermen will meet at 10am today, their 25th week of the 2017-2018 session. The 3rd item on the agendas is “Swearing In Alderwoman Elect Elicia “Lisa” Middlebrook. ” Middlebrook won a 3-way race held last month to serve out the unfinished term of 2nd ward Alderman Dionne Flowers, who was appointed Registrar.

In other news, longtime 8th Ward Alderman Stephen Conway, appointed Assessor by Mayor Krewson,  resigned on Monday, a special election will be held February 13, 2018 — see press release.

FOUR (4) NEW BOARD BILLS ON THE AGENDA* FOR INTRODUCTION TODAY 12/1/17:

*Note that just because a bill is on the agenda doesn’t mean it’ll be introduced, similarly, bills not on the agenda might be introduced if they suspend the rules to do so. This information is based on the published agenda as of yesterday @ 8am:

• B.B.#203 – J. Boyd –An Ordinance, recommended by the Board of Public Service of the City, establishing multiple public works and improvement projects within the City of St. Louis (the “Projects”).
• B.B.#204 – Williamson –An ordinance approving a Redevelopment Plan for 1020 Union/5251 Cates.
• B.B.#205 – Moore –An ordinance approving a Redevelopment Plan for 2400-22 N. Sarah and 4056-58 St. Ferdinand.
• B.B.#206 – Kennedy –An ordinance approving a Redevelopment Plan for 5122-24 Kensington.

The meeting begins at 10am, past meetings and a live broadcast can be watched online here. See list of all board bills for the 2017-2018 session.

— Steve Patterson