What is redlining and how does it contribute to social inequality?

Redlining is a practice that started in the 1930s where banks and insurance companies would mark neighborhoods on maps to show which areas were considered safe or risky for investment. Areas that were predominantly inhabited by Black and other minority communities were often marked in red, indicating they were "too risky" for loans or insurance. This meant that people living in those neighborhoods could not get mortgages to buy homes or improve their properties, leading to poorer living conditions and less access to resources like good schools and healthcare. For example, a family in a redlined area might struggle to buy a house, while a family in a non-redlined area could easily secure a loan and invest in their home, leading to wealth accumulation. Over time, this practice has created deep social and economic divides, contributing to ongoing inequality in communities across the country.