How Do You Spell BLOCKBUSTING?

Pronunciation: [blˈɒkbʌstɪŋ] (IPA)

Blockbusting is spelled with a tricky "ck" combination, making it difficult for non-native speakers to pronounce. According to the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA), the word is pronounced as /ˈblɒkbʌstɪŋ/. The first syllable "bl" is pronounced as in the word "blue," the second syllable "ock" as in the word "block," and the last syllable "ing" as in the word "singing." The word blockbusting refers to the illegal practice of encouraging people to sell their homes based on the fear of a specific racial group moving into the neighborhood.

BLOCKBUSTING Meaning and Definition

1. Blockbusting is a term that originally emerged in the real estate industry and refers to an unethical practice used to racially segregate neighborhoods. It is a manipulative tactic employed by real estate agents, whereby they would exploit racial fears and prejudice to persuade homeowners to sell their properties at a significantly lower value. The agents would typically instigate panic among white homeowners by suggesting that the neighborhood was at risk of undergoing racial integration, emphasizing that the presence of minority residents would lower property values and negatively impact their quality of life. This fear-mongering technique aimed to exploit racial tensions and encourage homeowners to sell their properties quickly, often at below-market prices, to the speculators or developers who would subsequently sell or rent the homes to minority families at inflated prices.

   The practice of blockbusting perpetuated racial discrimination by reinforcing segregation and limiting housing opportunities for minority groups. It became prevalent during the mid-20th century in the United States, particularly in the aftermath of the Supreme Court's ruling outlawing racial segregation in housing, known as Shelley v. Kraemer in 1948. Over time, blockbusting evolved to include other forms of discrimination beyond racial lines, such as exploiting immigration fears or religious divisions.

   While blockbusting is now illegal and widely condemned, its impact on urban communities has been long-lasting. It contributed to the creation and preservation of racially segregated neighborhoods, perpetuating inequality and hindering integration efforts.

Common Misspellings for BLOCKBUSTING

• blocbusting
• blockbustering
• Lockusting

Etymology of BLOCKBUSTING

The word "blockbusting" derives from a combination of "block" and "busting". Here is a breakdown of each component:

1. "Block": In this context, "block" refers to a residential city block, which consists of a group of buildings bounded by streets. It originated from the Middle Dutch word "blok" meaning "log" or "stump". Over time, "block" came to signify a defined area of land in a city.

2. "Busting": The term "busting" is an informal variation of the word "bursting", which means breaking open or destroying forcefully. In this case, it refers to the disruption or breaking up of established neighborhoods through discriminatory practices.

The term "blockbusting" was specifically coined in the mid-20th century to describe certain practices in the real estate industry that involved inducing panic selling or racial turnover within a neighborhood.

Plural form of BLOCKBUSTING is BLOCKBUSTINGS