ABSTRACT
Examining racial disparities in welfare programs is not an easy task. As John Rohr states in his classic work Ethics for Bureaucrats, “It is perhaps no exaggeration to say that questions of race, in one form or another, have been the most important issues in American politics” (1989, 99). Having governmental agencies take an active role in researching racial disparities of their programs is an important, but complex, task. It is important because under Title VI, Section 601 of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, “No person in the United States, shall, on the ground of race, color or national origin, be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.” This prohibition includes intentional discrimination, as well as procedures, criteria, or methods of administration that appear neutral but have a discriminatory effect on individuals because of their race, color, or national origin. It is important for governmental agencies not only to respond to allegations of racial discrimination but also to routinely self-assess whether racial disparities exist in the services they provide. Race analysis is an important dimension in gauging social equity within public policy. “Race analysis is the systematic application of the tools of historical and cultural analysis to understand the social and economic circumstances facing blacks and other racial minority group members” (Myers 2002, 170).
