racial segregation as a fundamental cause of fast food density in black neighborhoods cammie g.,...
TRANSCRIPT
Fried chicken and fresh apples
Racial segregation as a fundamental cause of fast food density in black neighborhoods
Cammie G., Fall 2014
Essay by Naa Oyo A. Kwate
Published in Health & Place in 2008
Examines the relationship between race-based residential segregation and density of fast food restaurants.
Introduction
We already know that fast food is terribly unhealthy.
Obesity has increased at a steady rate across all demographics in the US but is highest among disadvantaged groups. ◦ “Between 1971-1974 and 1999-2000, prevalence of obesity among Black women of
medium education rose from 20.7% to 54.4% and from 16.1% to 22.6% among their male counterparts.”
◦ “Class 3 obesity (extreme obesity) is also highest among Black women, with 6% prevalence in 2000, compared to 2.2% among White women.”
Areas with more fast food restaurants have higher morbidity and mortality and coronary syndromes.
Black neighborhoods in the US often share characteristics with food deserts where “it is easier to get fried chicken than a fresh apple” because there is not adequate access to supermarkets and a saturation of fast food.
Why does it matter?
Kwate identifies that “fast food may be dense in Black neighborhoods due to the downstream effects of segregation through four pathways.”◦ Population Characteristics◦ Economic Characteristics◦ Physical infrastructure◦ Social processes
Effects of segregation
Segregation◦ Concentration of African Americans in general◦ Concentration of low income in particular
Both populations are targeted by fast food companies
Population Characteristics
Poor retail areas◦ Less competition◦ Low rent
Labor surplus◦ Access to constant supply◦ Jobs are simplified◦ Unskilled labor◦ Low costs
Economic characteristics
Zoning- laws outline what kinds of buildings can be constructed and where◦ Those with money, political power, and connections are more likely to
be able to influence which business are able to open in their neighborhoods while those without don’t.
Neighborhood features◦ Black neighborhoods tend to be “burdened with negative
neighborhood features such as deteriorated housing, disorder, and vacant lots.
◦ Buildings are “fortified” for a sense of security with things such as metal shutters and bulletproof glass. This further marks the neighborhood as “the ghetto” furthering the prevalence of fast food.
◦ Black neighborhoods are much less likely to have buildings designated as landmarks which devalues them further and “fosters the dumping of unwanted land uses.”
Physical infrastructure
Neighborhood stigma◦ Black neighborhoods are often stigmatized as spaces inhabited by
“undesirables”.◦ Because they don’t fit the marketing profiles for more upscale
retailers, some tend to shun the neighborhoods. ◦ Starbucks, which falls under the quick-service umbrella, historically
attempts to attract urban professionals with disposable income. Typical marketing profiles would say that Black neighborhoods are not compatible with this. “Only with the reconfiguration of area demographics does Starbucks enter these communities, thus becoming ‘a beacon marking the transformation of a once-feared neighborhood to one safe for latte’”
Community political strength◦ Even cities with large Black neighborhoods will find their
representatives marginalized.
Social processes
Individual-level interventions◦ Likely to be ineffective◦ More likely to be implemented and funded
because that’s what public policy makers and government officials are more receptive to.
Attention needs to be given to the role of the food industry◦ inequalities underlying the production of its
markets◦ Patterns in consumption
What can be done?
Kwate, N. (2008). Fried Chicken And Fresh Apples: Racial Segregation As A
Fundamental Cause Of Fast Food Density in Black Neighborhoods. Health & Place, 32-44.
Reference