Race, Space, and Riots in Chicago, New York, and Los Angeles
Format:Hardback
Publisher:Oxford University Press Inc
Published:20th Sep '07
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- Paperback£39.99(9780199936557)
Janet Abu-Lughod for the first time weaves together detailed narratives of major riots with the changing contexts in which they have occurred to show how urban space, political regimes, and economic conditions--not simply an abstract "race conflict"--all structure the nature and extent of urban rebellions. New York's race riots, for instance, have been shorter, more confined, less destructive and less lethal, than those in Chicago and Los Angeles. Abu-Lughod attributes these differences to social diversity, lack of segregation, and a political system that responds to grievances. This book compares six major race riots that occurred in the three largest American metropolitan centers over the course of the twentieth century: in Chicago in 1919 and in 1968; in New York in 1935/1943 and in 1964; and in Los Angeles in 1965 and 1992. Abu-Lughod draws upon archival research, primary and secondary sources, and field work to reconstruct events--especially for the 1964 Harlem riot and Chicago's 1968 riots where no single study currently exists. By focusing on the mechanisms of exclusion and marginalization of African Americans and successful common trends in fostering racial harmony in each city, this work points the way towards alleviating existing and potentially mounting ethnic and racial tensions brought on by globally influenced changes in the economy and demographics of major American cities. Sadly, the author concludes that outbreaks of racial violence may again occur in major urban centers, and foresees a "tectonic" shift from white/black violence to ethnic competition and conflict between poor blacks and incoming Latinos, especially along shared social and physical boundaries.
Well researched, clearly written, and even more comprehensive than it claims...offers readers a concise study of twentieth-century urban racial violence in the three selected cities and serves as a good starting point for those interested in researching urban racial violence in more depth. * African American Review *
Abu-Lughod brings to this new book on riots an enormous amount of knowledge about the economic context of New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles...this book provides good fodder for debate...and contains some provocative commentary and thoughtful discussion of riots, American style. * Political Science Quarterly *
Seeks to shed light on the ever changing nature of race relations in American cities and in America at large... The individual chapters on politics, race relations and civil unrest in Chicago, New York, and Los Angeles are masterful, describing the long-term transformations of the each city's spatial, racial, and political character and locating each riot event within those transformative moments... ultimately a rewarding read. * Urban Affairs *
In this new book, she Abu-Lughod neatly balances the historical facts of each of these cities with a deeply informed interpretation that clearly advances our knowledge of how both large and small riots unfold... rich with evidence and insight... As an urbanist, the author is without parallel when she dissects the U.S. federal effort to address the housing needs of the population. * Anthropological Quarterly *
Abu-Lughod should be commended for her scholarly contribution and for drawing attention to these pivotal events as important signs or indicators of tectonic shifts (pp. 255, 260) taking place in the racial and political landscape of American cities...As Abu-Lughod convincingly argues, the future of urban areas, and the likelihood of future riots, will indeed depend on how American society chooses to deal with the enduring issues of racial and spatial inequality.. * City & Community *
ISBN: 9780195328752
Dimensions: 160mm x 236mm x 33mm
Weight: 649g
360 pages