racial disparities
Coverage of racial disparities in the Nexus archive.
- Community Review Board Finds Racial Disparities, Transparency Issues, Policy Progress on MNPD Use of Force
A report by the Community Review Board found that while the Metro Nashville Police Department's use of force policies align with some best practices, incidents over two years revealed racial disparities and concerns about training and transparency. The CRB noted that Black Nashvillians were disproportionately subjected to police force, recommending policy updates such as requiring crisis intervention team training and prohibiting officers from using vehicles as impact tools.
- Review board calling for use-of-force changes for MNPD, says most prior recommendations went unaddressed
A review of the Metro Nashville Police Department’s use of force has prompted eight new recommendations from the Community Review Board. The board raised concerns regarding persistent racial disparities and limitations in access to police data. Additionally, it noted its own limited ability to compel changes within the department.
- Nearly 15 years after student discipline reform, school suspensions in Mass. are falling. Are emergency removals taking their place?
Massachusetts school suspensions have decreased since 2012 reforms under Chapter 222, which aimed to reduce punitive discipline and address racial disparities. However, emergency student removals—allowing immediate removal for up to two days without a hearing—have risen sharply, from 1,500 in 2018 to over 3,900 in 2025, raising concerns about potential circumvention of disciplinary policies.
- The affordability crisis is so bad that, for the first time ever, both mom and dad are working full-time in most American families
Most American heterosexual households now have both parents working full-time, up from 40% 50 years ago. Racial and educational disparities exist in employment rates among mothers, with rising costs of living and childcare driving the shift toward dual-income families.
- Nearly half of adults struggled to afford healthcare last year, survey finds
A 2025 survey by the Urban Institute found 46% of U.S. adults struggled to afford healthcare, with 60% of uninsured adults facing affordability challenges. Disparities were noted across insurance types, disabilities, race, and regions like the South and rural areas.
- Racial disparities undermine Oakland’s contracting process. Can the city fix this?
Racial disparities in Oakland's contracting process exclude women and minority-owned firms from city work, according to studies. New policies aim to address these disparities by creating a more level business playing field.