All citizens should have access to the essential services that their local government can provide, but in reality many people of color across the country are disproportionately cut off from the utilities and institutions they need. Historical segregation and modern-day bias act in conjunction to isolate communities of color, leaving them vulnerable. Rural communities in developing areas are slow to receive power, running water, and sidewalks.
Black children are denied access to special education while their classroom behavior is criminalized. Public transportation is budgeted away from low-income areas or underfunded until its fares are out of reach. Historically, communities of color are disproportionately disenfranchised as well, a problem which has only been exacerbated by the recent spate of voter ID laws.
These disparities are the natural legacy of decades of segregation and discrimination, without a single actor whose intent can be challenged under the law. EJS is working with experts to target these systematic abuses.
Examples of our work on local services divide issues:
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