Overcoming Discrimination: Harassment and Discrimination Dynamics

Abstract

Inspired by the story of Jackie Robinson's breaking of the "color barrier" in major league baseball, we develop a new theory of how labor markets and organizations move from segregation to integration. Our theory focuses on harassment of integration pathbreakers and how the initial success or failure of initial moves towards integration affects the probability that the integration process is successful. We apply our theoretical analysis to various historical episodes including the integration of major league baseball and the increased participation of women in sports reporting.