white flight
Definition
White flight is the phenomenon where white residents move away from urban areas to suburban or rural locales, often in response to the growing presence of minority groups. This trend significantly impacts the demographic patterns and economic conditions of cities.
Analogy
Imagine a school cafeteria where one group suddenly leaves their usual table because another group starts sitting there too. The first group's departure changes the social landscape of the lunchroom, similar to how white flight alters the makeup and dynamics of urban neighborhoods.
Related terms
Urbanization: The process by which towns and cities are formed and become larger as more people begin living and working in central areas.
Segregation: The enforced separation of different racial groups in a country, community, or establishment, leading to social inequalities.
Gentrification: The process of renovating and improving a house or district so that it conforms to middle-class taste, which often displaces lower-income families and small businesses
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