The Legacy of Busing and Brown : How School Desegregation Experiences Shape Public Perceptions and Communities’ School Diversity Priorities in the Resegregation Era

Abstract

In a context that privileges neighborhood zoning and school choice over within-district busing, we examine urban residents’ perceptions of the benefits of racial diversity. We analyze public opinion trends by race and residents’ experience as a student in a district under court-ordered desegregation—Nashville, TN. We find racial differences regarding the values of proximity and school diversity that are moderated by experience as a school-age resident in a city under mandatory desegregation. We build upon literature showing long-term impacts of attending integrated schools, underscoring the influence of time, place, and experience in shaping perceptions of school diversity policies.

Keywords

school desegregation public opinion busing racial diversity

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