European Americans favor integration and African Americans favor it more so. Of course, they all favor it more in the abstract than is evidenced by the actions of individuals. This is quite similar to the usual disparities between stated values and behavior. Further, favoring integration does not mean that it is a high enough priority to be acted on in the face of prevailing segregative pressures. Indeed, minority and non-minority respondents are shown to favor different racial balances.
Instability results from such differences in preferences for integration.
Anticipatory and reactive moves result in unwanted segregation and bitterness about the elusiveness of stable racial diversity. Some readers may find Keating too ready to accept the inevitability of prevailing resistance to more broadly successful pro-integration efforts. This reader s minor pet peeve is the deference and uncritical respect that Keating gives to black segregationists who give aid and comfort to white segregationists. An example of this is special needs housing investment organized territorially and funded on the basis of income. The resulting segregation by race and income has been mitigated in a few places with extraordinary political will as well as human and capital resources.