Diverse? Yes. But Are U.S. Suburbs Actually Integrated?
An exchange during the first presidential debate exposes what we misunderstand about American housing segregation.
During the first presidential debate, Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden disputed Trump’s claim that the “suburbs would be gone” under a Biden presidency.
Photographer: Salwan Georges/The Washington Post via Getty Images
The first U.S. 2020 presidential debate has been called a “s--- show” and a “hot mess” by national television commentators. Characterized in style by interruptions, simultaneous talking and personal attacks, much of the debate was not only shockingly inflammatory — as when the president repeatedly refused to condemn white supremacy. It was also just hard to follow.
But in a brief cogent exchange that started as a question about homicide rates, President Donald Trump once again pivoted to one of his favorite topics: the suburbs.