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There has been considerable scholarship in a variety of academic disciplines around the intersection of race, gender and class issues. The examination of the convergence of race, gender, and class factors shaping public policy, planning, and public administration is virtually nonexistent. This special edition of the journal examines the intersection of race, gender, and class in public policy, planning and administration with a special emphasis on contemporary issues in today's society. Previous scholarship in this area examined some combination of the three but never focused on the intersection all of three. Articles related to race and gender, gender and class, and race and class all appear in the political and social science literature as well as in related fields of public policy and public administration including urban studies, regional planning, urban affairs, public affairs, public service, policy sciences, public management, administrative sciences, macro-social work. Of course, we also see similar representations within the subfields of public administration. However, public policy, planning, and administration are growing fields that have grown to become rich fields while other disciplines such as business and social work have sort to incorporate issues of public policy, planning, and administration within their disciplines. Despite the growth of these various fields, the intersection of race, gender, and class has not been fully treated.
This issue focuses on addressing this gap in scholarship. A myriad of critical policy and administrative issues are presented in this special edition. They include residential segregation, employment, affirmative action, child welfare, health care, and tourism. Each issue area provides a unique focal point for the intersection of race, gender and class.
The discussion of urban residential segregation is especially appropriate as a focal point for the intersection of race, gender, and class concerns. Race, gender, and class discrimination in this nation are all manifested in the physical segregation of various groups that can be identified by their race, gender, and class. Physical segregation in the United Sates perpetuates class divisions with both race and gender features. Housing discrimination fosters a lack of opportunities to areas having high quality education, employment, and public services.
The first article presented by Wesley et al examines the impact of racial segregation in an urban area. Many of the families being left the inner...