Attracting Hispanics to an African American Recreation Center

Abstract

This study sought to explore (a) how the Milton Recreation Center (MRC) became racialized as an African American space, (b) the factors limiting Hispanic parents from enrolling their children at the MRC, and (c) African Americans' attitudes toward increasing Hispanic participation at the MRC. The study employed qualitative methods including participant interviews. Findings suggested that historical discrimination toward the African American population was responsible for the overrepresentation of African American users at the facility, which limited the number of Hispanic users as some Hispanic families held negative attitudes toward African Americans. Hispanics encountered other constraints including cultural differences and bullying. This study stresses the importance of extending the discussion of discrimination to include instances of both horizontal and historical discrimination.