Class 4: “Widening Inequalities of Place” by UC Berkeley Professor Reich

This week’s class explores why geographic segregation by wealth and race has been on the rise. The trend is causing inequality to widen in particularly divisive ways. To be rich in today’s America means never having to come in contact with anyone who isn’t. To be poor in today’s America means being trapped in islands of poverty from which escape has become especially difficult. Questions: Why is it becoming easier for the wealthier to segregate from the poorer within a nation? What forms does this segregation take in addition to geographical? What are the consequences? Is this much different from a nation as a whole cutting itself off from others around the world who are poorer? Selected readings are available at: Class Outline ------------------------- 00:00 - Recap of Class 3 03:06 - Introduction to Class 4 04:31 - Widening inequalities of place 10:07 - Who gets into my community? 17:28 - The isla