July 29, 2001

Comment on census finding that segregation of blacks from whites remains high, even as Latinos and Asians live in more integrated areas; photos; segregaton for latter is often transitory product of immigration, similar to patterns of earlier ethnic groups (M)

Sasha Abramsky article offers glimpses into lives of a few of more than 42,000 refugees who have fled tyranny, ethnic strife or political upheavals in their homelands for safety of New York City between 1994 and 2000; refugees, unlike other immigrants, often arrive with little property, no money and physical and psychological problems and are unable to return home; photos; chart (L)

Holland Cotter sees multiculturalism, more than an attitude but less than a theory, as propelling force behind Ameican art of last two decades; finds that identity-based art that defined 1990's was, for minority artists, both a boon and a trap, with minority artists being introduced to art world power center, only to find themselves, with few exceptions, viewing it from culturally specific ghettos; discusses question of whether a new 'postethnicity' will open doors any wider; drawings (L)/

The people of Vieques, P.R., are to hold a referendum today on whether the Navy should leave now, stay until 2003 or remain indefinitely. On one level, the nonbinding vote is about as real as the mock invasions that have taken place on the island for 61 years, since any decision rests with the United States government.

Television ratings for four major sports--baseball, basketball, football and hockey--have been declining for more than 10 years and experts ponder reasons; proliferation of cable channels, some specializing in other sports, and rise of women's sports are both factors; erosion of tradition, as players, coaches and teams move frequently, salaries skyrocket and athletes misbehave publicly all contribute to demise of 'hero' connotation; photo (L)