Interactions Between Cultural/Ethnic Groups

According to the providers, definite tensions exist between African Americans and Latinos, and they are largely due to job availability and housing issues. "There has been a major influx of Hispanics in the last two years. They have taken more of the 'counter' jobs and there has been some tensions with Blacks who think they have taken their jobs." One provider described in detail how landlords take advantage of Latino communities by increasing the rent, sometimes up to 2.5 fold, and favoring Latinos more because of their willingness to pay cash and their emergent need for a residence due to their alien status. This results in people who are already struggling to pay rent ending up "with nowhere to go." A suggestion was for leaders to break down some of those racial divisions among the community, but difficulties from mistrust and doubt remain. On the flip side, Latinos feel they are not wanted and fear being targeted for violence, especially because many carry their cash on them.

A few providers mentioned the presence of racial tension between African Americans and Caucasians as well as between African Americans and Latinos. One provider noted that the lasting effects of racism in Durham might be seen by the economic inequality of many of the African Americans in terms of job source, housing opportunities, education, and health benefits. These are mentioned in following sections with more detail. Another provider mentioned that groups interact not based on culture and ethnicity but based on income. This provider said, "I think that's basically the bottom line. I think people that have money stick together, whether you're black, white, whatever; and I think the have-nots stick together…. I don't think it has to do with color."

Barriers to Access/Hard to Reach Groups

Back to TOC

Strengths