Recent articles on how industrial areas, particularly those with undesirable side effects such as air or water pollution from chemicals or what we used to call "junkyards", are located in or near black areas. The usual theory is the choice of the site was racist in a sort of generic way.
I used to try to slow my employees down when they tried to explain something to me--usually I wanted a step by step approach to get things clear in my mind. That temperament is perhaps one reason I resist the implied explanation.
I can imagine a cascade of NIMBYism that produces the end result without anyone involved in the decision making process being consciously racist. Both a reaction against a proposed siting decision by rich and powerful neighbors, or the anticipation of trouble by those making the decision could play a part, as could a higher cost of land. That's even assuming there was a decision point, rather than a more unplanned evolution of land use.
