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Courier News Online
c-n.com
Discrimination still
a problem as
state's diversity
booms
By JAY JEFFERSON
COOKE, c-n.com from the Web, September 21, 2007
NEW BRUNSWICK -- New Jersey is
the most ethnically and racially diverse state in the United States. But
with increasing diversity, so comes the potential for misunderstanding and
conflict.
That was the warning that came from a new survey, "New Jersey: A Statewide View
of Diversity," presented Thursday by the American Conference on Diversity and
partners.
The survey, conducted by the Edward J. Bloustein Center for Survey Research at
Rutgers University, measured attitudes, values and perceptions of racial and
ethnic diversity in New Jersey. The survey and conference addressed such
issues as housing, immigration, education and public policy as they relate to
growing diversity in New Jersey.
The level of diversity in New Jersey has been increasing. According to
U.S. Census figures, the racial makeup of New Jersey is 63 percent white, 15
percent black, 15 percent Hispanic and 7 percent Asian. And according to
the U.S. Census and the American Community Survey, New Jersey's foreign-born
population increased by seven percentage points (from 12.5 percent in 1990 to
19.5 percent in 2005); the Hispanic population increased by five percentage
points (from 10 percent in 1990 to 15 percent in 2005).
The current study updates the 1996 study "Taking New Jersey's Pulse," which had
a similar scope.
"When you talk about New Jersey's ethnic diversity, we can be really proud,"
said Nina Mitchell Wells, New Jersey secretary of state, a speaker and panelist
at the conference. But she cautioned that there is work still to be done.
"Times haven't changed enough, hence, that's why we are here."
The study indicates there are major differences among whites, blacks and
Hispanics and the types of communities in which they live. Whites
generally live in older towns and in the suburbs, with very few living in urban
areas, while Hispanics are more concentrated in urban communities, though most
live outside of major urban centers. Blacks are more likely than Hispanics
to live in major urban centers, but many live in suburban communities, the study
shows.
James W. Hughes, dean of the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning & Public
Policy at Rutgers, the keynote speaker at the conference, believes that the
minority growth presents many positives.
"We've had high rates of minority growth in such as Somerset County and Morris
County -- and that can only help," Hughes said.
Hughes pointed to what he calls "high-end" growth in the Somerset Hills, for
example, of well-educated, foreign-born people (many Asians and Hispanics) who
hold top jobs in the telecommunications and pharmaceutical industries, as well
as more working-class growth in areas such as Bound Brook and New Brunswick (and
other Middlesex County areas) where a marked growth in Spanish-speaking people
are filling jobs in retail and other traditionally blue-collar professions.
He said that even in the most affluent areas, there will be neighborhoods that
include lower-income people who provide the service work force.
"The fact is, when minority kids go to schools in those (higher-performing)
school districts, so much the better," Hughes said.
But segregation and discrimination remain key issues.
Conference panelist and speaker Clifford Zukin, a professor of public policy at
Rutgers, in presenting the findings of the survey, commented that he expects
improvement in diversity.
"I think we are growing out of the problems of the past," he said. "Young
people today are more open to contact. The more contact we have with other
people, the more we like it."
But Zukin added that we have to be more politically active to force change.
"The government needs to intervene," Zukin said. "We have a serious
education policy problem."
However, the experts agree that the private sector also must be involved.
Diane Schwartz, president and CEO of the American Conference on Diversity, said
specific programs are needed to combat the negatives.
Schwartz said her group offers initiatives in the workplace, the community and
the schools that address the diverse population.
She said she is proud of the conference's Lead For Diversity program that offers
training for high-school and college students.
"We are facilitators of leadership programs that offer exercises that promote a
greater understanding of race, gender and power (issues)," Schwartz said.
She added that students develop action plans that they take back to their
schools and communities. "We have to continue our efforts in education,"
she said.
Many of the experts agree that to continue the positive gains along with
increasing diversity, more education and more effective education is needed.
This includes more diversity in educator recruitment. And more equality in the
education process.
In other words, they said, rich or poor, black or white or Asian or Hispanic or
American Indian, everyone must have equal access to quality education.
But that may be a long way off.
Mary Regina Guidette, former Middlesex County Superintendent of Schools
(1992-2002), a panelist at the conference, pointed to the face of many of those
training to become teachers.
"I taught graduate courses at Rutgers and almost none of my students wanted to
teach in urban schools," Guidette said. She added that the large majority
of her students were white, and when faced with the option of teaching in urban
areas, many feared for their safety.
Jay Jefferson Cooke is associate editor of the Courier News.
To comment on news coverage or to share story ideas, call Cooke at (908)
707-3165 or e-mail jcooke@c-n.com.
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