It is upsetting to learn that the bold, and perhaps even noble, actions of George Romney, to create a more integrated by rejecting project applications from areas with segregated housing, were thwarted and unfortunately unsuccessful. I don’t believe there has been another jab at the problem as powerful as this. “The lack of political courage around these issues is stunning…The failures of fair housing are not just by the HUD, but by the country.” These words of Elizabeth Julian, a former HUD official were refreshing to hear, especially as it does admit that the people in a position of political power refuse to speak openly of and address the problem head on. Since Romney’s attempt, perhaps the Obama administration has made some progress, but it hasn’t done enough to erase and nullify the many years of neglect the poorer neighborhoods were presented with.

The statistical facts that were thrown in were also none shocking, especially after learning about red-lining and suburbanization. It is extremely unfair that black Americans earning $75,000 a year are living in worse off neighborhoods than white Americans earning $40,000 a year. This just goes to show, that even with nearly twice the amount of income, money can’t buy success and opportunity when all people notice is the color of one’s skin.  All that can be done now is hope that the policy makers of America will bring about change for such neighborhoods.