Popularized by U.S. Supreme Court majorities from the 1970s to today, the de facto segregation myth has been adopted by conventional opinion, liberal and conservative alike. Contrary to popular belief, racial segregation in U.S. housing was an initiative driven by the federal government in the20th century designed, implemented and upheld by leaders from liberal and conservative ideologies. Neighborhood segregation resulted from racially explicit laws, regulations and government practices that created a system of urban ghettos and white suburbs that still exist today. This is opposite to the widely held de facto segregation myth that "neighborhood sorting" and "white flight" were the result of citizens having free and equal choice where they lived.

Here we discuss the de facto segregation myth, why it is harmful and pervasive, and ways for law firms to address it.

• The de facto segregation myth.

The widely held belief is that society became segregated by fact or accident, not by legislation. De facto segregation refers to people willingly and freely choosing the neighborhoods they live in, with segregation occurring as an unfortunate by-product of that free will. De jure segregation is imposed through legislation and upheld by agencies that enforce racist policies.