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White Space, Black Hood: Opportunity Hoarding and Segregation in the Age of Inequality
A 2021 C. Wright Mills Award Finalist
Shows how government created “ghettos” and affluent white space and entrenched a system of American residential caste that is the linchpin of US inequality—and issues a call for abolition.
The iconic Black hood, like slavery and Jim Crow, is a peculiar American institution animated by the ideology of white supremacy. Politicians and people of all colors propagated “ghetto” myths to justify racist policies that concentrated poverty in the hood and created high-opportunity white spaces. In White Space, Black Hood , Sheryll Cashin traces the history of anti-Black residential caste—boundary maintenance, opportunity hoarding, and stereotype-driven surveillance—and unpacks its current legacy so we can begin the work to dismantle the structures and policies that undermine Black lives.
Drawing on nearly 2 decades of research in cities including Baltimore, St. Louis, Chicago, New York, and Cleveland, Cashin traces the processes of residential caste as it relates to housing, policing, schools, and transportation. She contends that geography is now central to American caste. Poverty-free havens and poverty-dense hoods would not exist if the state had not designed, constructed, and maintained this physical racial order.
Cashin calls for abolition of these state-sanctioned processes. The ultimate goal is to change the lens through which society sees residents of poor Black neighborhoods from presumed thug to presumed citizen, and to transform the relationship of the state with these neighborhoods from punitive to caring. She calls for investment in a new infrastructure of opportunity in poor Black neighborhoods, including richly resourced schools and neighborhood centers, public transit, Peacemaker Fellowships, universal basic incomes, housing choice vouchers for residents, and mandatory inclusive housing elsewhere.
Deeply researched and sharply written, White Space, Black Hood is a call to action for repairing what white supremacy still breaks.
Includes historical photos, maps, and charts that illuminate the history of residential segregation as an institution and a tactic of racial oppression.
Shows how government created “ghettos” and affluent white space and entrenched a system of American residential caste that is the linchpin of US inequality—and issues a call for abolition.
The iconic Black hood, like slavery and Jim Crow, is a peculiar American institution animated by the ideology of white supremacy. Politicians and people of all colors propagated “ghetto” myths to justify racist policies that concentrated poverty in the hood and created high-opportunity white spaces. In White Space, Black Hood , Sheryll Cashin traces the history of anti-Black residential caste—boundary maintenance, opportunity hoarding, and stereotype-driven surveillance—and unpacks its current legacy so we can begin the work to dismantle the structures and policies that undermine Black lives.
Drawing on nearly 2 decades of research in cities including Baltimore, St. Louis, Chicago, New York, and Cleveland, Cashin traces the processes of residential caste as it relates to housing, policing, schools, and transportation. She contends that geography is now central to American caste. Poverty-free havens and poverty-dense hoods would not exist if the state had not designed, constructed, and maintained this physical racial order.
Cashin calls for abolition of these state-sanctioned processes. The ultimate goal is to change the lens through which society sees residents of poor Black neighborhoods from presumed thug to presumed citizen, and to transform the relationship of the state with these neighborhoods from punitive to caring. She calls for investment in a new infrastructure of opportunity in poor Black neighborhoods, including richly resourced schools and neighborhood centers, public transit, Peacemaker Fellowships, universal basic incomes, housing choice vouchers for residents, and mandatory inclusive housing elsewhere.
Deeply researched and sharply written, White Space, Black Hood is a call to action for repairing what white supremacy still breaks.
Includes historical photos, maps, and charts that illuminate the history of residential segregation as an institution and a tactic of racial oppression.
312 pages, Hardcover
Published September 14, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
December 20, 2021
Intentional segregation of Blacks in the twentieth century shaped development of living patterns for everyone and put in place an infrastructure for promoting and maintaining segregation. The past is not past
White Space, Black Hood: Opportunity Hoarding and Segregation in the Age of Inequality by Georgetown University law professor Sheryll Cashin looks at how the idea of Black inferiority as far back as Thomas Jefferson to justify enslavement led to segregation after the Civil War. This, in turn, led to practices in the twentieth century like redlining, racial zoning, and the refusal of banks to loan to Descendants over decades and how these exclusionary practices still resonate today in Black communities in US cities.
As whites first began moving to segregated neighbourhoods at the turn of the twentieth century and later, as Black neighbourhoods began to spread because of the Great Migration, to the suburbs, more resources were allotted to these wealthier white neighbourhoods, leaving Descendants trapped in what became known as ghettos. Since most government resources and services are tied to taxes, Black neighbourhoods continue to lack, for example, reliable transportation, health services, as well as public schools which as Cashin shows, 'are more segregated than they have been at any point in the last 50 years', resulting in an inferior education for Black children. All of this has meant little opportunity for change for Descendants today. Yet, despite the lack of needed services, there is always government money enough for constant policing and surveillance in Black neighbourhoods,
White Space, Black Hood is an important book, well-written and well-researched but Cashin's ability to avoid academic language makes it a very compelling and highly readable book, one that anyone who cares at all about continuing inequality should read - I cannot recommend it highly enough.
Thanks to Edelweiss+ and Beacon Press for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an opportunity to read this book
White Space, Black Hood: Opportunity Hoarding and Segregation in the Age of Inequality by Georgetown University law professor Sheryll Cashin looks at how the idea of Black inferiority as far back as Thomas Jefferson to justify enslavement led to segregation after the Civil War. This, in turn, led to practices in the twentieth century like redlining, racial zoning, and the refusal of banks to loan to Descendants over decades and how these exclusionary practices still resonate today in Black communities in US cities.
As whites first began moving to segregated neighbourhoods at the turn of the twentieth century and later, as Black neighbourhoods began to spread because of the Great Migration, to the suburbs, more resources were allotted to these wealthier white neighbourhoods, leaving Descendants trapped in what became known as ghettos. Since most government resources and services are tied to taxes, Black neighbourhoods continue to lack, for example, reliable transportation, health services, as well as public schools which as Cashin shows, 'are more segregated than they have been at any point in the last 50 years', resulting in an inferior education for Black children. All of this has meant little opportunity for change for Descendants today. Yet, despite the lack of needed services, there is always government money enough for constant policing and surveillance in Black neighbourhoods,
White Space, Black Hood is an important book, well-written and well-researched but Cashin's ability to avoid academic language makes it a very compelling and highly readable book, one that anyone who cares at all about continuing inequality should read - I cannot recommend it highly enough.
Thanks to Edelweiss+ and Beacon Press for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an opportunity to read this book
September 28, 2021
as a book for modern, timely resources, this lives up to its subtitle. facts, figures, charts, it is a good reference point to pull out, citing sources even a year into the pandemic. government gets a lot of the blame (deservedly so), but cashin, like other writers (my critiques of ‘the deficit myth’ come to mind), criticism strays from attacking capitalism outright. even some mentions, such as the romneys in this book, are portrayed in a slightly positive light, i presume to not push away center-right readers. books like ‘race for profit: how banks and the real estate industry undermined black homeownership’ by keeanga-yamahtta taylor go more in depth
into showing how despicable the romneys are. ‘white space, black hood’ however is focused more on palatable, “common sense,” npr-tinted writing and reasoning, serving its purpose—here are the facts, here are some solutions - within - the system. it’s not radical, but factual and flexible. if you’re looking for stars: three as a book, four as resource. heavily researched, and hopefully can leave you wanting to learn more.
into showing how despicable the romneys are. ‘white space, black hood’ however is focused more on palatable, “common sense,” npr-tinted writing and reasoning, serving its purpose—here are the facts, here are some solutions - within - the system. it’s not radical, but factual and flexible. if you’re looking for stars: three as a book, four as resource. heavily researched, and hopefully can leave you wanting to learn more.
September 15, 2021
For every disingenuous Facebook debater who demands that one "cite their sources" during an argument over structural racism, Cashin's book comes through with reams of data, maps, and citations to other scholarly sources. While the book lacks the "pop" appeal that made "The New Jim Crow" such a sensation, this is a thorough investigation of modern segregation.
September 15, 2022
This book is absolutely fantastic. I cannot speak highly enough of Cashin’s work. This book does not only provide an in depth analysis of theoretical, legal, historical sources, it helpfully illumines constructive practices for imagining and living a new life together. I think she correctly centers black urban communities as the recipients of layers of institutional practical anti-blackness. Banking, education, healthcare, real estate, food, childcare, criminal Justice system, policing, transportation, accessibility to political participation, etc, aggregate in terrifying ways to make black life in urban America nearly impossible to survive. I’m very encouraged by this work and the hope she has for change amidst the chaos and plunder of the COVID-19 pandemic. She finished the book invoking bell hooks’ ‘other regarding’ ethic of love as the only sustainable basis for political communities. People are hungry for healing. We no longer need to complacency resolve our communities to the tyrannical forces of segregative markets managed by self-interested elites, faithful resistance to these grim reality requires love, empathy, solidarity, and organization.
July 9, 2022
I liked this book. It’s VERY informative.
For change to come, we have to first be honest and transparent about what has happened and what is happening. This book is very detailed, interesting and even shocking at times. More people should be required to read about the history of housing discrimination, school segregation, government assistance (and non-assistance!) and mass incarceration.
However, books like this that detail persisting discrimination and segregation are also somewhat depressing for me as a Black person. It’s validating to know I’m not alone in my negative experiences and it’s encouraging to know what I have personally overcome. But it just sucks to know there is so much racism that is baked into the foundation of our country and manifests in a gazillion different ways.
I do highly recommend this book for anyone interested in the topic. It’s a good read.
For change to come, we have to first be honest and transparent about what has happened and what is happening. This book is very detailed, interesting and even shocking at times. More people should be required to read about the history of housing discrimination, school segregation, government assistance (and non-assistance!) and mass incarceration.
However, books like this that detail persisting discrimination and segregation are also somewhat depressing for me as a Black person. It’s validating to know I’m not alone in my negative experiences and it’s encouraging to know what I have personally overcome. But it just sucks to know there is so much racism that is baked into the foundation of our country and manifests in a gazillion different ways.
I do highly recommend this book for anyone interested in the topic. It’s a good read.
February 7, 2022
I also contend that geography is now central to American caste, a mechanism for overinvesting in affluent white space and disinvesting and plundering elsewhere. Geography helps to construct social and racial distinctions that justify the way things are.
Like race, “ghetto” is a social construct. At some point, this word used to describe high-poverty neighborhoods became pejorative, as powerful as the N-word. To paraphrase sociologist Elijah Anderson, American society is very invested in the ghetto as a dangerous place, where people at the bottom of the social order live.
Mmmhmm. The author is a law professor at Georgetown and this book draws on two decades of research so it's academic, but I didn't find it hard to understand or follow she argues that the myth and physical construction of a "ghetto" has become a sort of residential segregation/caste system in the U.S. In particular she argues there are three anti-Black processes that undergird the entire system of American residential caste—boundary maintenance, opportunity hoarding, and stereotype-driven surveillance. I'm really interested in the history of housing segregation (and what might be done to rectify it because we can't change what we can't see.) Recommended if you are interested in similar non-fiction. (The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America gets more into the history, I would start there and then move to this book.)
Like race, “ghetto” is a social construct. At some point, this word used to describe high-poverty neighborhoods became pejorative, as powerful as the N-word. To paraphrase sociologist Elijah Anderson, American society is very invested in the ghetto as a dangerous place, where people at the bottom of the social order live.
Mmmhmm. The author is a law professor at Georgetown and this book draws on two decades of research so it's academic, but I didn't find it hard to understand or follow she argues that the myth and physical construction of a "ghetto" has become a sort of residential segregation/caste system in the U.S. In particular she argues there are three anti-Black processes that undergird the entire system of American residential caste—boundary maintenance, opportunity hoarding, and stereotype-driven surveillance. I'm really interested in the history of housing segregation (and what might be done to rectify it because we can't change what we can't see.) Recommended if you are interested in similar non-fiction. (The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America gets more into the history, I would start there and then move to this book.)
June 27, 2022
I have read alot on this subject, and I found this book didn't add much that I hadn't seen before in better books. If you are able, I'd recommend reading instead The Sum of Us, The New Jim Crow, Dream Hoarders, The Color of Law, among others that she references and summarizes.
Casin has two distinct writing tics. One, she refers to African descendants of slaves as 'descendents'. I didn't mind this, it serves as a reminder of the history of structural subjugation of this population. She also uses the word 'caste' a lot, referencing Isabel Wilkerson's recent book. I found this usage a bit more annoying because I think she's using this literally, not figuratively, and it's not really accurate to do so. There's too much that's distinct to the experience of African descendants in the United States.
Another thing - there's a lot of optimism in this book, written as it was in the wake of the BLM protests of 2020 and the election of Joe Biden. This seems sadly dated already, as the enthusiasm for reforms to policing seems to have dwindled significantly both in elected officials and the general public.
Casin has two distinct writing tics. One, she refers to African descendants of slaves as 'descendents'. I didn't mind this, it serves as a reminder of the history of structural subjugation of this population. She also uses the word 'caste' a lot, referencing Isabel Wilkerson's recent book. I found this usage a bit more annoying because I think she's using this literally, not figuratively, and it's not really accurate to do so. There's too much that's distinct to the experience of African descendants in the United States.
Another thing - there's a lot of optimism in this book, written as it was in the wake of the BLM protests of 2020 and the election of Joe Biden. This seems sadly dated already, as the enthusiasm for reforms to policing seems to have dwindled significantly both in elected officials and the general public.
June 11, 2025
Read for a class.
It all boils down to race/racism. Every system in the U.S. was designed intentionally for the benefit of white people and/or to keep black/brown people away or in particular places. Literally homes, neighborhoods, transportation, education, public services, etc. I didn't know too much about redlining before reading this book, so I liked that it gave me some historical context as well as more recent/up-to-date information. Cities, roads, etc. that were built SO many years ago are still having an impact on communities today. While there have been strides in some places to try and fix the inequities, more often than not, the system works as designed and can't be changed without being completely overhauled or dismantled and rebuilt.
This book is full of citations, data, maps, etc. and while it can feel like information overload, it is written in a way that makes it easy to digest.
It all boils down to race/racism. Every system in the U.S. was designed intentionally for the benefit of white people and/or to keep black/brown people away or in particular places. Literally homes, neighborhoods, transportation, education, public services, etc. I didn't know too much about redlining before reading this book, so I liked that it gave me some historical context as well as more recent/up-to-date information. Cities, roads, etc. that were built SO many years ago are still having an impact on communities today. While there have been strides in some places to try and fix the inequities, more often than not, the system works as designed and can't be changed without being completely overhauled or dismantled and rebuilt.
This book is full of citations, data, maps, etc. and while it can feel like information overload, it is written in a way that makes it easy to digest.
October 21, 2021
A fascinating and thought-provoking read. My only qualm is that I found it almost unreadable at points because of the amount of supporting data being lobbed my way. Definitely well-researched, just could have been a little longer for more in depth analysis and easier readability.
I do think this is worth picking up though. It really made me pause and question why certain policies remain in place. It helps you notice barriers that are just so commonplace and entrenched that you accept them as the way things are.
I do think this is worth picking up though. It really made me pause and question why certain policies remain in place. It helps you notice barriers that are just so commonplace and entrenched that you accept them as the way things are.
December 30, 2021
This book is wonderfully researched. Cashin takes the torch from so many of her sources and focuses more on the mythology of the hood and its geography (with color maps to boot). The first half of the book is largely a history lesson. My only complaint is each of the first four chapters jumped around chronologically and I felt more like I was wondering through disparate chapters than a cohesive narrative. That changes in chapter 5 onward, as she shifts her focus from history to geography.
February 4, 2022
Some really insightful research put together to advance points I have either not seen before or not seen evidenced like this before. Cahsin has some amazing lines throughout the book, and it is written with unapologetic passion for the issues and unflinching appetite for telling things the way they are.
The writing overall is a bit dry, and I think the book would have benefitted from more connecting threads across chapters. It's a strong work- I'll be looking into Cashin's other work.
The writing overall is a bit dry, and I think the book would have benefitted from more connecting threads across chapters. It's a strong work- I'll be looking into Cashin's other work.
October 14, 2021
(I received an advance copy of this book through a Goodreads giveaway.)
White Space, Black Hood: Opportunity Hoarding and Segregation in the Age of Inequality
This was an incredibly compelling history of the ongoing impacts of policy-supported racial discrimination in the United States. As someone who grew up around and currently lives in Atlanta, I had previously been most closely familiar with the 20th century evolution of segregation, redlining, and similar practices in the Southeast. This provided a sweeping and comprehensive picture of not only parallel policy choices throughout the country over the past century, but also masterfully argued connections to current events and future hope for repair. I will be recommending this book widely, especially to friends interested in working in housing policy/advocacy.
White Space, Black Hood: Opportunity Hoarding and Segregation in the Age of Inequality
This was an incredibly compelling history of the ongoing impacts of policy-supported racial discrimination in the United States. As someone who grew up around and currently lives in Atlanta, I had previously been most closely familiar with the 20th century evolution of segregation, redlining, and similar practices in the Southeast. This provided a sweeping and comprehensive picture of not only parallel policy choices throughout the country over the past century, but also masterfully argued connections to current events and future hope for repair. I will be recommending this book widely, especially to friends interested in working in housing policy/advocacy.
August 16, 2022
Wholeheartedly endorse a text that functions as not just a rejoinder, but a massive extension of Ta-Nehisi Coates’ case for reparations. It’s an outstanding critique of segregation and the new Jim Crow, while always holding the thesis that “Black oriole suffer the most” true and, unfortunately, proud.
While I could levy critiques that class first understandings of history explain how labor exploited the working class establishing white ghettos in the north long before those ghettos were forced to become racial used against black peoples, I think this text doesn’t necessarily deny that claim. Instead the author is seeking to explain why in particular that black people suffer the brunt of the class extermination Ian the elites propagate. And for that, I have to say that this is a must read regardless of political ideology. Spectacular book!
While I could levy critiques that class first understandings of history explain how labor exploited the working class establishing white ghettos in the north long before those ghettos were forced to become racial used against black peoples, I think this text doesn’t necessarily deny that claim. Instead the author is seeking to explain why in particular that black people suffer the brunt of the class extermination Ian the elites propagate. And for that, I have to say that this is a must read regardless of political ideology. Spectacular book!
April 23, 2022
I only read the first two chapters before I was bogged down in the feeling that Cashin was preaching to the choir. The book offered additional details on this topic for those who desired them, as well as strangely personal anecdotes where the author sources her own family's private letters. It's those particulars that make the book something new. Cashin is arguing what others have but adding the "like in this example" to give readers just that much more access to her argument. Hopefully that works on a new section of the population who don't already mostly agree to her claims.
March 2, 2022
5 stars - absolutely phenomenally well done, clearly extensively researched and I really appreciated the take on how location can influence so many factors in a person's life. I think for me the obvious candidates are voting districts and grocery stores and transit lines, but there really is so much more to it than that. The discrimination based on ZIP Code alone is astonishing. Also had a great discussion with the book club about it as well!
February 22, 2022
Incredibly well researched and with great ideas for a better future. A dense read.. Best consumed in bites. She builds upon Douglas Massey's work and brings it up to date. A good companion to the Sum of Us... more emphasis on criminal justice reform and participatory approaches to overcoming racial inequities in cities. I need to reread Chapter 12 a couple more times
June 24, 2022
I really liked this book. Good source of info on how the federal government promoted the creation of ghettos and low income black neighborhoods while actively enriching white suburbs. Also made good points about surveillance in black neighborhoods and how black people can be made to feel watched in racially integrated neighborhoods.
December 13, 2022
Well-written, well-researched, giving an honest voice to an essential subject. But also well-ploughed ground. I learned little that was new or surprising. If you follow the news and understand the basics of how we arrived at our current state of residential segregation, you might do better to look for other sources of inspiration.
March 5, 2022
A thorough history on how white supremecy housing and economic policies by white leaders openly discriminates against persons of color from the past and current practices in the 21st Century. Some things have gotten better in terms of laws being passed and enforced but much work needs to be done.
September 2, 2022
Great book. If you care to understand the way that our cities "end up" segregated, the impact this has on people, communities, etc, this book is an accessible way to learn about that. It takes a historic look at the US and how history has shaped our current understanding and situation.
Read
July 11, 2022America's anti-Black residential caste system sustained through boundary maintenance, opportunity hoarding, and stereotype-driven surveillance.
August 12, 2022
B- Audible
July 6, 2023
A great overview of systemic and environmental racism, I just wish there was more discussion of what we can do to fight for equity.
March 12, 2024
Very well written, engaging, essential information.
May 30, 2025
A sister book to The Color of Law
July 30, 2025
One of the most educational books I've read!
November 27, 2022
definitely an educational read that I highly suggest. People are so unaware of the far reaches of segregation in the 21st century and this book is pivotal to understanding that.
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