Final answer:
The illegal practice of directing minorities to areas populated by their own race or religion is called 'steering', a discriminatory act that supports segregation. Steering is related to the concept of ethnic ghettoization and is seen as a continuation of redlining practices, which also work against integration and equality.
Step-by-step explanation:
The illegal practice of directing minorities to areas of the city which are populated by the same race or religion is known as steering. This practice can be subtle, often reflecting realtor behavior when they focus a buyer's attention on neighborhoods predominated by persons of the prospective buyer's ethnicity. While sometimes portrayed as helping people find communities where they 'feel at home', it remains a discriminatory act that maintains segregation.
Ethnic ghettoization is a more systematic and organized effort to maintain ethnic divisions in cities, often involving multiple parties. It's essential to understand the historical context of ghettos and their evolution into concepts like ethnic enclaves and ethno-burbs. Yet, steering and other such practices are seen as a continuation of redlining, eliminating equal opportunities and perpetuating inequality in society.
Furthermore, steering and redlining contribute to maintaining the status quo by segregating communities, thus limiting interracial interactions that could lead to deeper understanding and societal integration.