Racial Threat in School Districts? Impact of Hispanic Population on Approval of School Tax Measure

Abstract

Context matters. A relatively robust research agenda finds that White opinions and behavior on racially- or ethnically-charged topics varies based on the surrounding demographics. However, in some places and on some issues, Whites do not appear to react to increased diversity. This paper argues that the role of segregation may help clarify the places we are likely to fi nd that White hostility towards minorities increases with the size of a minority group. I leverage a distinctive setting-a 2000 education funding referendum-and fi nd that White voters showed evidence of racial threat toward Hispanics only when local school districts were segregated. I conclude that a large minority population in a segregated community creates a setting uniquely likely to induce hostility. In these places, the ethnic context is changing but Whites and Hispanics are no more likely to engage in personal contact that could improve relations.