To end enforced separation between social or racial groups in an institution or place.
Reach for it when describing removal of a discriminatory separation rule or practice
The district worked to desegregate its advanced science classes.
| everyday | |
|---|---|
| warm | |
| professional | |
| formal |
everyday
Fits when removing an access restriction is the practical change
Careful Opening admission may leave internal segregation untouched.
warm
Fits when bringing excluded people into participation is the immediate act
Careful Include can add participants while leaving the enforced separation unnamed.
professional
admit
Fits when entry to a school, service, or group is the specific action
Careful Admission concerns individuals and may not change the institution's structure.
professional
Fits when access or treatment is being made more equal
Careful Equalize may address resources without ending physical or institutional separation.
professional
Fits when formerly separated groups gain shared access and participation
Careful Integration can be nominal while unequal placement or treatment continues.
formal
Fits when separate bodies are joined into one organization
Careful Unify can erase difference while discriminatory structures remain.
desegregate schools
The court order required the county to desegregate schools.
effort to desegregate
The effort to desegregate included transport, staffing, and admissions.
fully desegregate
Enrollment data alone could not show that the program had fully desegregated.
Keep in mind
This sense concerns enforced social separation, especially racial segregation; it should not be used for every instance of groups being physically apart.
Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Updated
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