Population & Steets in Long's City: What's the Story? We asked residents to share their experiences, concerns, and suggestions about the city. The responses revealed a stark disparity between neighborhoods, as life expectancy varied by 17 years. Residents of both low and high-income neighborhoods experienced different levels of health and economic conditions. Many of the differences were related to the history of racism and discrimination in the city. These factors have contributed to a concentrated area of low-income residents, lacking the necessary environment and supports to thrive.
These statistics point to the city's history of anti-Black attitudes and the exploitation of non-white labor and wealth. In Long Beach, these historical occurrences persist as systemic racism, a process in which organizations and institutions adopt policies and practices that reinforce an unjust system of power. These practices can appear race-neutral in appearance, but persist in long-term, lingering effects.