The World in Brooklyn Gentrification, Immigration, and Ethnic Politics in a Global City

by DeSena, Judith; Anderson, Noel S.; Busà, Alessandro; Shortell, Timothy; Brown, Evrick; Candipan, Jennifer; Conn, Phyllis; Cordeau, Roberta; DiFazio, William; Farrell, Shanna; Gould, Kenneth A.; Krase, Jerome; Lang, Steve; Lewis, Tammy L.; Martucci, Sara;

• ISBN13: 9780739166703
• ISBN10: 0739166700
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2012-03-22
• Publisher: Lexington Books

Summary

The World in Brooklyn: Gentrification, Immigration, and Ethnic Politics in a Global City, is a collection of scholarly papers which analyze demographic, social, political, and economic trends that are occurring in Brooklyn. Brooklyn, as the context, reflects global forces while also contributing to them. The idea for this volume developed as the editors discovered a group of scholars from different disciplines and various universities studying Brooklyn. Brooklyn has always been legendary and has more recently regained its stature as a much sought after place to live, work and have fun. Popular folklore has it that most U.S. residents trace their family origins to Brooklyn. It is presently referred to as one of the hippest places in New York. Thus, this book is a collection of demographic, ethnographic, and comparative studies which focus on urban dynamics in Brooklyn. The chapters investigate issues of social class, urban development, immigration, race, ethnicity and politics within the context of Brooklyn.As a whole, this book considers both theoretical and practical urban issues. In most cases the scholarly perspective is on everyday life. With this in mind there are also social justice concerns. Issues of social segregation and attendant homogenization are brought to light. Moreover, social class and race advantages or disadvantages, as part of urban processes, are underscored through critiques of local policy decisions throughout the chapters. A common thread is the assertion by contributors that planning the future of Brooklyn needs to include multi-ethnic, racial, and economic groups, those very residents who make-up Brooklyn.

Author Biography

Judith N. DeSena is professor of sociology at St. John's University. Timothy Shortell is associate professor and director of the MA program in-sociology at Brooklyn College.

Table of Contents

Figures	p. vii
Tables	p. xi
Introduction: The World in Brooklyn	p. 1
Mapping a Changing Brooklyn, Mapping a Changing World: Gentrification and Immigration, 2000-2008	p. 7
Forgetting Poverty in Brooklyn and the United States	p. 51
Gentrification in Everyday Life in Brooklyn	p. 65
"Williamsburg Walks": Public Space and Community Events in a Gentrified Neighborhood	p. 89
The Environmental Injustice of Green Gentrification: The Case of Brooklyn's Prospect Park	p. 113
Rezoning Coney Island: A History of Decline and Revival, of Heroes and Villains at the "People's Playground"	p. 147
The Gowanus Canal: Local Politics of "Superfunding" Status	p. 185
Striving for Sustainability on the Urban Waterfront: The Case of Newtown Creek	p. 211
Riding the Bus in Brooklyn: Seeing the Spectacle of Everyday Multicultural Life	p. 237
Brooklyn and Belleville: On the Visual Semiotics of Ethnic Identity in Two Immigrant Neighborhoods	p. 259
Constructing an Oppositional Community: Sunset Park and the Politics of Organizing Across Difference	p. 289
An Ethnography of Local Politics in a Brooklyn Caribbean Community	p. 313
The Dual Roles of Brighton Beach: A Local and Global Community	p. 337
Hood Politics: Charter Schools, Race and Gentrification in Fort Greene	p. 363
Revising Canarsie: Racial Transition and Neighborhood Stability in Brooklyn	p. 379
Index	p. 407
About the Contributors	p. 403
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