Final answer:
Residential segregation is a result of both historical and contemporary racism, as well as systemic discrimination practices like redlining. This makes the statement that it is solely based on personal decisions false.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement 'Residential segregation is based on personal decisions, not on racism.' is false. Residential segregation, particularly de facto segregation, has historical roots in both personal decisions and systemic racism. For instance, during the 1950s, African Americans and other minorities were often economically excluded from certain neighborhoods and unwelcome in suburban areas, a practice driven by racism and discriminatory policies like redlining and restrictive covenants. These methods ensured that minorities could not access the same housing opportunities as White individuals. The socio-economic consequences of such policies have perpetuated racial segregation, affecting wealth accumulation and equal access to quality education and other resources.
In areas like New York City, even when laws were racially neutral, segregation indices showed a significant degree of racial separation, indicating that de facto segregation was widespread. Societies' historical and ongoing racial divide has led to largely segregated neighborhoods, which cannot be easily undone by court mandates alone. Continued racial and ethnic separation is evident in many aspects of life, including schooling, wealth distribution, and home ownership. Thus, while current-day residential patterns may sometimes reflect personal choice, they are deeply influenced by a legacy of racially discriminatory practices and structured inequality.