Race, Class, and the Struggle for Neighborhood in Washington, DC / Edition 1

by Nelson F. Kofie

Overview

First published in 1999.This case study examines how low-income residents, community leaders, the Nation of Islam, and the police joined forces to close down an open air drug market. The research shows how a previously stable black community became severely destabilized and documents the efforts of community members to mobilize their neighbors around home ownership, tenant empowerment and jobs.
Adopting a holistic perspective, the author examines tensions between opportunities and constraints dictating the aspirations of individuals, the historical factors influencing the course of events in their community, and the agenda of various government and private agencies. This three-year ethnographic study observed the community's rejuvenation and the drastic reduction in drug-related crimes, antagonism between the police and the Nation of Islam, and the demise of the HUD funded tenants' home ownership initiative.
(Ph.D. dissertation, George Washington University, 1996; revised with new preface, introduction, bibliography, and index)

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780815331148
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	05/01/1999
Series:	Studies in African American History and Culture
Edition description:	REVISED
Pages:	256
Product dimensions:	5.44(w) x 8.50(h) x (d)

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 African Americans and Urban Neighborhood Communities, Background and Overview, Empowerment of Low-Income Residents, Retrospective Overview, Chapter 2 Racial Segregation and Rise of Sun-Hope Neighborhood Community, The Community and Sunrise-Park Dwellings Civic Association, Park Dwellings Housing Project Residents, Sunrise Apartments, Hope Mansions, The Fall of Sun-Park-Hope Civic Association, Sun-Hope Community During the Study, Chapter 3 Social Class Segregation and Fall of the Sun-Hope Community, Ghettoization of Sun-Hope Neighborhood Community, Neighborhood Disorganization (1970-1990)

Editorial Reviews

A study of neighborhood community change in the northeastern section of Washington, DC. Special attention is given to factors contributing to the destabilization of this previously stable, working- and middle- class black community. Examines efforts of some community members to form mediating institutions, and looks at the junctures at which residents and other agencies struggle over power, leadership, and strategies for addressing problems of joblessness, drug dealing, and gun violence in the community. Further attention is given to processes of group formation, consciousness raising, and collective actions. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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