Chapter 4: Sorting and Mixing: Race and Sex Summary and Analysis

People are segregated in many ways—by sex, age, income, language, religion, color, and other elements. Some segregation is deliberate and mean-spirited and some is by circumstance and choice. If blacks are excluded from white churches or vice versa it may be reciprocal behavior. There are reasons beyond discrimination that could drive such segregation. A church bulletin may advertise a room for rent. A black person might feel more comfortable if that ad is from a black organization. The same is true for a white person.

Discrimination in and of itself is not necessarily negative or malicious. Rather, it is a process that involves a conscious awareness of choice. For example, one would use knowledge and awareness to shop at a grocery store that has fresh food. That...