The Tortilla-Mercedes Divide in Los Angeles

The Tortilla-Mercedes Divide is the social and economic separation between the more affluent White and poorer Mexican populations in greater Los Angeles. The Divide has existed for over a century and is probably at least as strong today as in the past. Although some social processes are working to weaken the Divide, during the last three decades these processes have been counterbalanced by demographic, cultural, and economic trends that tend to exacerbate the Divide. The growing income gap between Whites and Mexicans is particularly pronounced. Mexican-White residential segregation is moderately high and has been rising slightly. Developing closer personal contact between Whites and Mexicans, improving the employment skills of Mexicans through education, and reducing the in-flow of less educated immigrants might conceivably diminish the Divide. As of the present, efforts in these directions have not been effective.