The Racial Wealth Divide: Why Housing Matters [Infographic]

We hear a lot about the racial wealth divide. Now we can see it.

By Jamilah King May 06, 2013

It can hard to see wealth. Sure, there are markers of it everywhere: homes, jobs, cars. But the true indicators of wealth, like home equity, retirement savings, and a family’s investments aren’t usually on public display. Now, a[ new infographic from United For a Fair Economy](http://faireconomy.org/enews/infographic_the_house_doesnt_always_win) is trying to expose just how deeply divided our nation’s wealth is along the lines of race. And those divisions have grown even starker since the economic recession began in 2008. "This infographic draws attention to the intersection of housing as both a globally-recognized human right and as a commodity in a global stock market controlled by the wealthy," wrote Mazher Ali, the organizations communications coordinator. "We urge readers to acknowledge the history behind the long-standing racial wealth divide and to consider the interplay between federal housing policies and risky financial practices and their impacts on the divide."