Forced Busing in South Boston: Class, Race, and Power

ABSTRACT:

In this article, power is studied in three dimensions: observable decision making, the mobilization of bias, and consciousness. These dimensions are then utilized to examine conflict in “Southie,” a white working-class community in Boston, Massachusetts. Evidence is presented to demonstrate that social class is crucial in understanding the struggle between South Boston residents and blacks in nearby communities This finding is especially important because white residents favor a racial conceptualization of forced busing, affirmative action, and integration of public housing projects. The article concludes with an analysis of the consequences of racial and class perspectives for urban policy analysts. In this regard the impoverishment of urban economies and of black and white working- and lower-classes is given special consideration. Finally, the implications of problems of legitimacy at the local level for the national government are explored