Summary Eleven and Twelve

                Jacob Riis Park rich with history and has been very popular. Various ethnicities migrate to various areas o the park. By gathering at the many Bays people of different races and cultures were able to mingle. However, a decline occurred in the 1990’s and the amount of visitors has remained low. Chapter Five, “Jacob Riis Park,” analyzes the views of people in different areas of the park.

                There were 131 interviews collected. One area that was used was Beach Bay One. “The trash that collects along the back side of the beach and this bay’s relative isolation certainly don’t stop people from coming to Bay 1.” (111) This is just one example of the lack of care when it came to this area of the park. Regardless of the trash, people are still willing to come. Men and women usually gathered in the area and there are many topless women. It is considered an adult area.  The people that come to Bay one are usually sunbathing, socializing, and eating. “The bay is ethnically diverse, although there is a predominance of blacks and Hispanics.” (111) There are a large number of male visitors and the number of males interviewed (18) represent that. The people that were interviewed treasure the space because it proves them with freedom and liberation. The beach is also important because it is one of the few with a gay area. The inhabitants fell comfortable and safe meaning they are free to express themselves. “Yet, there also is a feeling that this bay has been abandoned or neglected by the park management, as indicated by the absence of a lifeguard, bathrooms, and concessions and by the abundance of trash and debris on the beach.” (112) Even though the place is not looked after, people still flock to the area.

                It seems that once someone becomes attach to a place they visit it regardless of the condition. The people interviewed have connections with bay one. They came there with their friends and family. They were comfortable there because it was a gay beach; they felt like they could be themselves. That seemed like enough for them to keep coming back even though it was unsanitary.

                There are many methods used when gathering ethnographic research. Not all methods work as well as others. Methods must be picked pertaining to the situation. Various methods are mentioned throughout the chapter such as cognitive, observational, historical and so forth. In Chapter 8, REAP uses many different methods to gain information.

                “In REAP a number of methods are selected to produce different types of data from diverse sources that can be triangulated to provide a comprehensive analysis of the site.”  (188) Some of the methods used are behavioral mapping, individual interviews, focus groups. When using behavioral mapping the activities of people are recorded. Individual interviews are collected from an identified population. There is never a set interview time or number of interviewees; it varies from site to site. Focus groups usually contain people that are important when it comes to determining the park site and local population. The number of people in a focus group usually ranges from 6 to 10.

                If I had read this chapter before, I may have used different methods in gathering information for my project. This chapter clearly broke down and explained the different methods of gathering ethnographic data. A person isn’t shackled to one method.

               

Summary Ten

Ellis Island holds history that is important to immigrants and Americans alike. People come from all parts of the world to visit. Back in the 1900’s a proposal was mad to build a bridge connecting Ellis Island and Liberty State Park located in New Jersey. The views of those deemed important and influential were the first to be consulted about the project. In Chapter four, “The Ellis Island Bridge Proposal,” the views of the people that were considered truly important was recorded.

The people that were determined to be truly important were people that the bridge would affect for example vendors, the poor, and so forth. There were a wide range of opinions and trends. Pushcart vendors for example had a positive outlook on the creation of the bride. “The Bridge is good-more people will go to it-this means more customers and more business. It’s a good thing.” [pg.79] This is the main reason vendors in Battery Park were pro bridge. On the other hand, street performers didn’t like the idea of the bridge because they were afraid that it would reduce the amount of tourist thus hurting their career. Others were afraid that the free access would result in vandalism of all sorts. Not only were the people in the parks interviewed but the people living close to Liberty State Park. The opinions of those within the neighborhoods varied. For example in Paulus Hook, one person stated, “I like the ferry because I can see the island better.”[pg. 93] They didn’t particularly care for the bridge. In Van Worst and Lafayette most of the people were for the bridge and had positive outlooks on the creation. “It would help poor people take their children.” [pg. 95] The fact that the poor would have access is the biggest positive of the project.

When creating something there are always negatives and positives. Some people will hate it and some won’t. It is a proven fact that not everyone can be pleased. It would have been nice if the bridge was built and it remained free. The poor should have opportunities to visit Ellis Island too.

Summary Nine

                There are many things that a person can do when visiting a park. Research has been conducted to determine the different uses of the park and its connection to ethnicity. Each race uses the park in different ways yet there are connections between some activities. In Chapter 3, “Prospect Park” the different ways specific ethnicities use the park.

                There are many reasons people come to the park, a few examples are sports, socializing, stress relief and so forth. However, there are certain things that certain ethnicities prefer to do when visiting the park. “The park is a site of cultural self-expression for certain groups, including African/West Indian drumming and dancing.’ [pg. 49] This is just one example of how a certain race uses the park. Hispanics use the park to connect socially with their families or peers. They do this by picnicking and cooking. White people visited the park to walk their dogs and exercise. “Characteristic activities like walking, exercising, watching the ducks and visiting the playground are well distributed among the different constituencies.” [pg. 48] Even though people of different races come to the park for many different reasons, there are still reasons that pertain to all races despite class.

                When reading this article, I found a lot of things to be true. Whenever I visit the park, it is to socialize with my family or Church members. We have picnics and games. My family has also hosted a birthday party for my father in the park. There are a lot of trends shared between people of color that are not shared with Caucasians.  

Summary Eight

“Urban Parks”

Those with little knowledge would assume that a park is just a park. There are no characteristics that differentiate one from the next. The stereotypical assumption about what defines a park is trees and grass, nothing more or nothing less. In the second article “Urban Parks” characteristics of different types of parks are listed.

                The first type of park mentioned is Landscape. “Typically much larger squares and commons, they were designed as refuges from the city.” [pg.20] This is just one example of a characteristic that defines a Landscape park. A very famous and actual example of one is Central Park. Another good example that provides a list of characteristics is Prospect Park, it is considered to be one of the best examples of a Landscape Park. It consists of 526 acres and includes pastures, woods, gathering places, surface waters, and footpaths.

                In Landscape parks, the goal was to provide visitors contact with nature. The goal of Recreation Facility Parks was to “bring the benefits of wholesome recreation t urban people, especially children.” [pg. 26] There were many ways that Recreation Facility Parks could go about achieving their goals. One of the easiest ways was by creating playgrounds; another trend was creating swimming pools and beachside parks. An example of a beachside park is Orchard Beach located within Pelham Bay Park.

                The main purpose of the chapter was to tell the history of different parks and how they developed over the years. However, I found the characteristics of what defined various parks to be very interesting. There was strives made in America to make parks attractive and fun for the community. Many people would just assume that all parks are the same, but that’s not true. They are probably not aware the effort made by certain individuals in the planning of a park.

Summary Seven

“Beyond Urban and Rural Communities in the 21^st Century” by Walter P. Zenner

In the olden days, there was a blatant difference between rural and urban areas.  However, as the world developed, many people strayed away from agricultural and focused on telecommunications. Zenner claims that because of this shift, the classifications of rural and urban are somewhat irrelevant. In the article, “Beyond Urban and Rural Communities in the 21^st Century” by Walter P. Zenner, it focuses on rural life then and now.

                “Until recently, it was convenient to classify communities as either urban or rural” [Zenner, 413] Back in the day, there was a differentiation between urban and rural. According to Zenner urban communities consisted of large amounts of people who usually didn’t partake in agricultural occupations. Most relationships were considered impersonal. One of the characteristics of a rural community is “encompassed scattered homesteads and villages.” The relationships that people developed in rural communities are opposites of those in urban communities. Most of their relationships were created through face to face contact.

                When a person moves away from New York City and towards Upstate New York, the density decreases and houses are spread far apart. However, most of the people in these areas are not employed in agriculture, but rather the service sector. “Other residents commute to New York City and, increasingly, people are able to work as employees or as providers of services for corporations and yet never go to the office.” [Zenner, 417] This is made possibly because of the advancements in technology. People can remain connected through computers cell phones, and fax machines. The only reason they are considered “rural” is because of the comparison with cities.

                Technology is such a wonderful thing. It keeps people connected without having to go anywhere. It changes the way people live and what they do. It helps them peruse different jobs and travel to those jobs without problems. The power of technology is amazing.

“The Cultural Life of Urban Spaces”

                William H. Whyte wanted to know why some public areas of New York City were successes and why others were failures. The public areas were that were deemed a success were filled with people partaking in activities while those that were failures were barren and unused. In chapter one, “The Cultural Life of Urban Spaces,” the importance of cultural is a public space is addressed.

                “In this new centenary, we are facing a different kind of threat to public space-not one of disuse, but of patterns of design and management that exclude some people and reduce social and cultural diversity.” [pg. 1] Those of a different race do not feel welcome in public spaces and that is the goal because they are considered “undesirable.” In exchange for doing this, the public space suffers. There is a lack of vitality and vibrancy because the only types of people that feel welcome are tourists or middle class visitors. That is not the only negative side affect, another is the fact that it causes a decline in the number of places that people can meet and partake in public life.

                “The redesign, however, destroyed the social ecological balance. A new social group, a gang of young men, took over the public space, creating a dangerous and even more undesirable environment.” [pg.7] Parque Central in San Jose, Costa Rica used to be wonderful park full of cultural. On the northeast corner, shoe shining men could be found. When moving to the southwest corner pensioners and on the northwest corner vendor and religious practitioners. Lastly in the inner circle prostitutes and workmen could be found. In 1993, the park was closed and redesigned as to remove people deemed undesirable, which were considered bad for tourists and the middle class. Destroying the tradition didn’t have the effect that was desired; it instead made the area worse.

                In the chapter, numerous reasons why culture is important to urban spaces, if I was to list them all, it wouldn’t be a summary, but rather an essay. I believe that the destruction of Parque Central was a prime example of why it is important to preserve cultural in public spaces. Just because some people are poor doesn’t mean that they should be considered undesirable. Changing the space only turned Parque Central into a danger zone and the overall cause for chasing people away wasn’t achieved. People would have even less of a reason to wander into a park with their lives as stake. It doesn’t matter where you go in the world the poor and the immigrants are always mistreated.

Summary Six

“Transnationalism, Old and New, New York Immigrants” by Nancy Foner

Transnational is defined as not confined to a single nation or state, but including, extending over, or operating within more than one. It is not a new “phenomenon”, but rather it has been occurring for years. As time progressed and technology became more advanced, transnationalism also progressed. In the article “Transnationalism, Old and New, New York Immigrants” by Nancy Foner she explains how people remained connected to their countries of origin then and now.

                “In studies of this earlier era, the focus is on Eastern European Jews and Italians; they were the vast bulk of the new arrivals at the time and defined what was then thought of as the ‘new immigration’” [Foner,364]  During the 1880’s to 1900’s over one million immigrants came to New York City and most were on Eastern European Jews and Italians. In his age, there is a variety of ethnic groups migrating to New York, it is not possible to name o predominate groups that are migrating. By 2006, New York was inhabited by over three million immigrants, who represent 37 percent of the population of the city.  

                During the 1880’s to 1900’s many immigrants were men who came to work and sent money home to their families. Immigrants that sought to return home saved up money to buy house or land.  Another trend amongst immigrants in the time period was sending home money and instructions to their family so they’d know what land to purchase. Many Jews returned home because there was a lack of Jewish women in America and they wanted a bride. “Many were ‘birds of passage’ who went back to their villages seasonally.” [Foner, 366] Going back and forth was a way they remained connected to their homeland. One major reason some immigrants had a strong desire to return to their home land is because of the lack of acceptance in America.

                “Advances in transportation and communications technologies have made it possible for immigrants to maintain more frequent, immediate, and closer contact with their home societies and have changed the very nature of transnational connections.” [Foner, 368] The main reason for the change in transnationalism is the advancement in technology. It makes keeping bonds with their home land extremely easy. A journey back to their homeland that might have taken weeks or months, now only takes a few hours. Another thing that has changed transnationalism is the global economy which encourages international business. It is now easier for professionals and prosperous immigrants to function in a transnational field.  

                Technology really does make the world go round. It is easier than ever to keep ties with your homeland because of new modes of transportation and communication. Some immigrants come to the United States to make money and then scurry back to their land of origin. Even though they have made money, they never forget the place they came from because they return.

“From Cuenca, Ecuador to New York, U.S.A. Families and Transnational Lives” by Ann Miles

                In the previous article, Foner tells about the growth of trasnationalism and leaves the reader with a positive outlook. In the article, “From Cuenca, Ecuador to New York, U.S.A. Families and Transnational Lives” by Ann Miles, takes us behind the scenes. She learns the story of Vincente Quitasacas and his family and they hardships they faced. Miles presents the hardships of transnationalism on an immigrant.

                At first, the Quitasacas moved to Cuenca during the 1980’s. They hoped that their children would get a proper education and get somewhere in life. That hope was quickly shattered because it simply didn’t happen. The reason why Vincent decided to go to New York was because he believed that his future would lead to economic prospects. However, he was also aware of the hardships that he would face and it included emotional turmoil. When leaving, he didn’t only do it for himself, but also his family. Vincente’s goal was to make sure his siblings finished school, to ease his parents’ worries about old age, and to open a business so he could support his wife and children.

                Miles states that migrating isn’t all about money because the male migrants most make tough decisions and decide whether leaving is worth it. They are bombarded by many questions. One question geared toward Vinente is “Does leaving mean that the migrant is giving up on Ecuador?” [Miles, 381] There are so many other questions that Vincente and his family may have had to sort through to figure out if they were making the right decision or not.

                When chatting with Vincente, Miles makes a note that he always seemed happy and never let on to the troubles he was facing. Later on when learning of his stay, he troubles that he faced are mentioned. Vincente missed his family and his home, but as time progressed he thought of them less and less. When traveling home one night he was almost robbed. Even though he stated that he didn’t have money, he was still beaten. For that reason, he bought a car. However, he has to pay off for that car and whatever else debts he owes, which lessens the money he can send home.

                Vincente was not the only one suffering. His family suffered the loss of their son. After leaving, his mother was never the same. Later on, his little sister fell in and he had to pay for the hospital expenses. A while after, she died. Unable to support his family, his father had to join him in New York. The hopes of creating a business and returning home was never fulfilled.

                Immigrants come to America with a dream and sometimes they are just crushed. People would assume that these types of situations don’t exist in this day and age, but they do. Many immigrants in poor countries want to return home and live a better life, but it seems impossible. Miles states that Vincente’s story isn’t unique.

“Global Transactions Sudanese Refugees Sending Money Home” by Dianna J. Shandy

It seems like immigrants, Refugees do not forget where they come from. They are willing to keep ties with their homeland and people that are important to them. It doesn’t matter what turmoil is occurring within their land, they will try their best to help out their families. In the article, “Global Transactions Sudanese Refugees Sending Money Home” by Dianna J. Shandy, she shows how much of an impact the sending of money has on where a person lives.

Refugees in Sudan depend on the money that comes from overseas. They eagerly wait for whatever comes because it is their key to survival. They can retrieve the money by answering questions. Many Refugees will come to Addis if there is just a rumor of their relative sending money to them. Others come to Addis in hope of gathering information and forming a bond with some long lost relatives. It’s all about survival. This is the main reason why many people migrate from rural to urban areas. It seems that many would live in urban areas than in Refugee camps because of the danger. Leaving the camp to gather wood could be the end of someone’s life. To gain just a little bit of money, they most gather wood and risk their lives. In these camps, they hardly have enough food to eat. One long most likely dangerous journey to an urban area seems to be worth it to refugees.

When reading this article, I can’t help, but feel grateful. I don’t have to struggle to survive and make such harsh decision. The likely hood of dying while retrieving wood is little to none. These people are strong and I respect them.

Summary Five

“Civic Ecology, Urban Elders, and New York City’s Community Garden Movement” by Jay Sokolovsky

In the article “Civic Ecology, Urban Elders, and New York City’s Community Garden Movement” by Jay Sokolovsky, the importance of Community Garden’s are discussed. Sokolovsky mentions the history of community gardens which entails how the community garden has developed. Sokolovsky addresses the benefits of community gardens.

                Community Gardens have proved their worth throughout history.  Not only that, but they have developed. “During the Great Depression of the 1930’s, New York City’s welfare department, in conjunction with the federal Works Project Administration, sponsored almost 5,000 ‘relief’ gardens on vacant public land.” [Sokolovsky, 245] This is just one example of how a community garden has developed because planting and providing food is just one aspect of what makes up a modern community garden. “During World War II, all available New York City owned land became available for ‘Victory Gardens.’” [Sokolovsky, 245] The earliest forms of Community Gardens were later halted after other methods of obtaining food came about and after the war ended.

                “What I began to see were community-created public spaces beckoning those who entered to transcend the traditional barriers of wealth, ethnicity, and age.” [Sokolovsky, 248] This is just one benefit of a community garden. It teaches others to let go of what keeps members of the community separated. In a garden everyone can come together and learn to plant or enjoy the beauty of nature. Sokolovsky states that he has never seen people of different ethnicities in a community mingle so easy with one another. “In 2003, I observed a 12-year-old boy who sought refuge in a well-established garden from a difficult foster-care setting.” [Sokolovsky, 248] The garden also acts as a safe haven for children and keeps them off the street. Imagine what would happen if that boy didn’t have the support of the members of the garden.

                I never realized what a community garden can do to bring people of the community together. Members that usually wouldn’t associate themselves with others are able to cross that bridge because of the garden. It represents a middle ground where people come together to beautify their community. The bonds that are created can make living much more pleasant.

“Caste, Politics, and Criminality in Urban India” by Jeffrey Witsoe

                Almost every country within the world has one strong connection, how little power the lower class has. The lower class must find some way to rise against the oppression or forever be oppressed. They have to idly stand by and watch as upper class people ruin their country. In the article “Caste, Politics, and Criminality in Urban India” by Jeffrey Witsoe, there is a focus on the plight of the lower caste and how they have risen in the world of politics. Witsoe explains how the lower caste gained power within Urban India through dirty politics.  

                In the city of Patna, the politicians, police, and criminals work together to gain money. The police overlook the crimes while the criminals give a cut of their money to the politicians. Not only did some politicians get a cut, but some were the leaders of criminal organization in charge of kidnapping. These politicians were known as “mafia” politicians. These politicians and their lackeys went through a trial and error process when it came to kidnapping. “The first victims were wealth business families. Eventually, however, these families either left the state or paid off powerful politicians to gain protection.” [Witsoe, 271] Their first target was a failure so they moved on to state-owned electricians. When that failed, the next targets were doctors, which also failed. Their last choice was professors and in the end it also failed. Even though people wanted these kidnappings to end, it never did, and many continued to vote for these dirty politicians.  Why would the people of a country willfully vote for corrupt politicians? “Most of the kidnapping and other criminal activities, in contrast were being carried out by new entrants on the scene: lower- politics.” [Witsoe, 272] Just as the upper-caste supports and protects their people, the lower caste does the same. They do not target their own caste, but rather upper-caste who are involved with government corruption in education health care, and so forth.

                At first when I read this, I thought that the upper caste politicians were kidnapping upper-caste citizens. But, when I re-read it, I realized it was the lower-caste. I find it quite sad that even though they are of the same nationality, they are so divided. They don’t protect each other, but rather people in the same caste. This can only cause turmoil or death. They should plant some community gardens maybe that would help bring some peace. If it works in America, then it can work in other countries too.

“The Extended Community Migration and Transformation in Tzintzuntzan, Mexico” by Robert V. Kemper

                “The Extended Community Migration and Transformation in Tzintzuntzan, Mexico”, by Robert V. Kemper takes the reader on the journey of growth. Kemper was there to the small village grow. Even though people left the village for a new life, they still wanted to part of their village. Kemper addresses why the people of Tzintzuntzan, Mexico migrated and how they remained the “extended community.”

                One of the main reasons why the people of Tzintzuntzan leave the village is for a better life. They wish to make a better salary which in turn will help them live a more comfortable life.  There are many other reasons why the people leave. For example, the reason why Emiliano Guzman left was because of the lack of progress. There are limited jobs available, that is the reason Jose Zavala left even though he enjoyed the peacefulness of the village. Some people just don’t want to be poor or follow in the uneducated footsteps of their parents. In the end, it all comes down to a better life. Older people of Tzintzuntzan are not the only ones leaving the village. The younger ones are leaving to seek an advanced education so they can find elite jobs in Mexico City and other urban areas. “For many people in Tzintzuntzan migration has become the default option, with remaining in the village a distant second choice.” [Kemper, 290] Everyone wants a better life even if that means leaving the place they grew up.

                “First, I am struck particularly by how hard it has become to define who is and who is not a resident of Tzintzuntzan.” [Kemper, 294] Even though many members of the Tzintzuntzan leave, the members do not consider them migrants. They are still part of their home, but are simply working to gain that better life that everyone dreams of. Another factor is the fact that it easy to return because of the advancement of transportation. The members return to have the baptisms, first communions, and confirmations. That way they remain connected to the village. Even though the youngsters leave for higher education, they still return to their village even after getting good jobs.

                I was really surprised at how loyal the people of Tzintzuntzan are. Even though they left, they always returned. They want to remain as part of the village. I believe they are very humble because they didn’t forget where they came from after getting better jobs and what not.

               

               

Summary Four

How Urban Ethnography Counters Myths about the Poor” by Judith Goode

The title of an article usually alludes to what the piece of writing will be about. However, Judith Goode’s title tells a reader what the article is about. In the article, “How Urban Ethnography Counters Myths about the Poor” by Judith Goode, she addresses exactly what the title says. The tone of the article itself can be described as defensive, Goode stands up for the poor, and seeks to disapprove what tarnishes their reputation. In this article Goode addresses the harsh decision the poor must make to survive.

                Goode starts off the article by stating “Myths that justify an unequal social order by blaming hose at the bottom for their own lowly position have been widespread throughout human history.” [185] It seems it has become a trend for the poor to be blamed for their own misfortune. They are poor because their lazy, horrible people, and so forth. The thought of the poor being immoral usually develops within an industrial capitalistic society.  In such society’s the poor are dehumanized and thrown into the cultural of poverty.

                As the article progresses, Goode makes it her goal to refute the negative myths about the poor. She believes that many ethnographers such as Lewis and those who built their work on his have failed to note that the poor’s social behaviors are really survival skills. As the study of the poor advanced, many other ethnographers began to see the light and held a different perception of the poor. In order to survive they must work hard, develop strategies, and make harsh decision to survive.

“Even in the absence of formal marriage, a woman, by having a child, often extends her sharing network to include her nonformal ‘in-laws’” [Goode, 190] Many would believe that a woman that simply has a child out of wedlock is immature and immoral. That is not true, some cannot afford marriage and if the marriage doesn’t work out, they cannot afford divorce. By having a child with someone, they have a family and safety. A single woman with no in-laws or boyfriend is in grave danger. This is just one way that a poor woman can insure her survival.

I found this article very interesting. Not many people would take the time consider most of the things that are written in the article. Rather than thinking of how the poor must survive, they focus on the negative stereotypes. I assume that a lot of people still assume the worst about the poor.

“Office Work and the Crack Alternative among Puerto Rican Drug Dealers in East Harlem” by Philippe Bourgios

In the article, “Office Work and the Crack Alternative among Puerto Rican Drug Dealers in East Harlem” by Philippe Bourgios, the harsh life of poor Puerto Ricans are addressed. Once again the limited choices of the poor are addressed. The poor must make a living whether it be legal or illegal, they need money. To survive, humans need an income, and they will do what they must to get it. In this article, Bourgios explains why some of the poor turn to selling drugs.

 “All the creak dealers and addicts I interviewed had worked at one or more legal jobs in their early youth.”  [204] It seems that Bourgios wanted to banish the myth of drug dealers waking up one day and deciding that dealing drugs was their best course of action. Many of the drug dealers had started off with honest work, but were racially discriminated. They were humiliated on a daily basis because of their race or illiteracy. They worked hard, hardly made any money, and to top it off they were humiliated. All most all of the Puerto Rican males were prideful and just couldn’t handle the embarrassment. That is the reason why they turned to drugs. They can support themselves and they don’t have to deal with the disrespect.

I was a little disgusted by the article because the way women were addressed. I understand the unwillingness to conform because of the disrespect. But addressing a woman as a bitch just because they have to work underneath her is disgusting. They demand respect, but they can’t respect or wrap their minds around a superior woman, which is sad.

“Gangs, Poverty, and the Future” by James Diego Vigil

There is an occurring trend within the articles, the titles that address the majority of the article. In the article, “Gangs, Poverty, and the Future” by James Diego Vigil, the correlation between gangs and poverty are addressed. The poor live a very hard life and must make certain decision to insure their survival. There are a limited amount of choices and to some they might seem irresponsible. Many refuse to acknowledge the hardships of the poor and just view them as reckless. In this article the reason why the poor turn to gangs is addressed.

In the beginning of the article and throughout Vigil stresses these aspects, “Especially damaging are the social structural breakdowns that occur when family resources are strained, school systems overwhelmed, and law enforcement agencies overburdened in their attempts o solve the problems of troubled youth.” These are just some reasons why gangs develop in a poverty stricken neighborhood, but seem to be the most important reasons according to Vigil. The earliest explanation to why the poor and immigrant population turned to gangs was because of economic inequality. The “strain theory” was created to further explain the reasoning. The strain theory states, “The mismatch between the status goals established by the dominant society and the inadequate means available for low income people to reach their goals.” [Vigil, 233]

Most gangs are made up of males who grew up together in a low income neighborhood. The poor are forced into isolation; they are rejected and alienated simply because they are poor. They begin to consider themselves outsiders. Even though they are outsiders to those of the higher class, when in gangs they find a place where they belong. People of higher class fail to notice that they are also the cause of young males turning to gangs. The way they treat the lower class has its consequences and they should be aware of that.

The poor are mistreated and then people wonder why they turn to gangs. Not every one that is poor turns to gangs, but a lot do. Some of them are willing to work their hardest and ignore the humiliation. Others just can’t swallow their pride and do that. I would never want to become because I don’t think I could survive. The hardships that they face are unbelievable. Maybe if they were respected in schools and at their jobs, things wouldn’t have turned out to be so sour.

Summary Three

“The Edge and the Center Gated Communities and the Discourse of Urban Fear” by Setha M. Low

“The Edge and the Center Gated Communities and the Discourse of Urban Fear” by Setha M. Low focuses on why people have moved to Gated Communities. The false security that is created while living in a Gated Community is also addressed. There is one sickening concept that sticks out in the article, the way the poor are viewed. During the time period in which the article was written the amount of Gated Communities created were growing. One of the main reasons people decided to move into these communities was simple. They feared the change in their neighborhood and the people that they had to call neighbors. The article gives insight of the feelings of people living within gated communities and the falsehood that is created while living within a gated community.

The reason for the construction of gated communities was presented in the first few pages of the article. “This is reflected in an increasing fear of crime that is unrelated to actual crime trends or locations.” [Low, 133] It seems that the quote “people fear what they do not understand” can always be deemed valid. The people of these neighborhoods just assume the worst of the immigrants that move into their neighborhood.  “When Bloomingdale’s moved out and Kmart moved in, it just brought a different group of people…. And it wasn’t the safe place that it was… I think it’s safer having a gated community…. They are not going to steal my car in the garage.” [Low, 137] Sharon felt her community was no longer safe because the poor inhabited the space she had lived for most of her life. She has a very negative view of the poor and groups them into a criminal category. “First of all, it’s a false sense of safety.” [Low, 138] No matter where a person goes, there is always a chance to be robbed. Some criminals will stop at nothing to get what they want. The security guards are people and make mistakes. They may fall asleep or fail to notice things. A person cannot run from crime because it is everywhere.

I was thoroughly disgusted with this article. The mindset of these people made me want to vomit. There is crime everywhere, there is no escaping it. Just because someone is poor doesn’t mean that they will rob you. I couldn’t help, but smile when I read that Sharon’s car was stolen. I think she deserved it for saying that her neighborhood changed just because Kmart moved in. Everyone and anyone can shop at Kmart, not only poor people. Half way through the article, I wanted to stop reading I just couldn’t believe how these people viewed the poor.

“In Motion Transportation and Knowledge in Sao Paulo” by Derek Pardue

There are many different ways to analyze social differences. One popular way an anthropologist can study this is by focusing on space. However, in the article “In Motion Transportation and Knowledge in Sao Paulo”, Derek Pardue takes a very unique approach. One wouldn’t easily assume that social status could be determined by mode of transportation. In New York many people have cars yet they take the subway to work because it is convenient.  Yet in this article modes of transportation are very important to the people that are considered lower class. Modes of transportation are helpful in determining social status.

“As one moves further and further away from the center, basic services and social status significantly diminish.” [Pardue, 161] The center of Sao Paulo is where the upper class is located. Traveling further away from the center leads you to areas were the middle class and lower class reside. “This particularly effective with working-class people, because their trajectories are often longer, more varied, and more complex than those of middle-class laborers.” [Pardue, 162] According to Pardue simply talking about a person’s commute to and from work can provide very important information. A simple conversation about transportation can inform an anthropologist of their social status. In Sao Paulo, taking the bus shows higher status than taking the train. Taking the train is deemed the lowest mode of transportation. To Robson and his family taking the bus to various functions is considered far more decent than taking the train. “I can sometimes use the height and dream about another life scenario.” [Pardue, 162] In Robson’s view, taking the bus provides him with a sense of hope for the future. Even though he’s poor, he can still take the bus, and appear higher than those who own cars. When he takes the bus he can see various neighborhoods and cars. While taking the train represents “displacement” and nothing can be seen, but dull sites.

I found this article to be very interesting because I have never took the time to think about transportation in such a way. I never really considered taking the train only for those of low class. I think of the train as being convenient and cheaper than using a car to get around. I hate using buses because they make me sick. I suffer from motion sickness in cars and buses, but it isn’t so bad when I’m taking the train. This article made me think of how extremely different perceptions of transportation are in different countries.

“The Culture of Poverty” by Oscar Lewis

What is culture according to an anthropologist? “Culture provides human beings with a design for living, with a ready-made set of solutions for human problems so that individuals don’t have to begin all over again each generation.” [Lewis, 183] What is simplistic answer for the question? “The core of culture is its positive adaptive function.” [Lewis, 183] In the article, “The Culture of Poverty” by Oscar Lewis, he informs readers of the characteristics that make up a culture of poverty. He makes it clear that there is a difference between poverty and the culture of poverty. In this article by Lewis, he focuses on the characteristics of the culture of poverty.

“The culture of poverty refers to one way of life shared by poor people in given historical and social contexts.” [Lewis, 180] This is a basic definition of the culture of poverty. Lewis explains what conditions cause the culture of poverty to flourish. He gives six examples, the first being a cash economy, wages labor, and production for product; an area with a high unemployment and underemployment for unskilled laborers; low wages; the failure to provide social, political, and economic organizations for the low-income population; the existence of bilateral kinship, and the existence of a set of values in the dominant class that expands wealth and property, the possibility of upward mobility, and explains low economic status as the result of personal inadequacy and inferiority. [Lewis, 176] The cultural of poverty can be studied in urban or rural slums.

Lewis believes that the cultural of poverty is not only a reaction, but adaptation of the poor when living in a capitalistic society. It seems that the characteristics for the culture of poverty are never ending. However, Lewis does mention why certain people that are considered poor cannot be part of the culture of poverty. “Even the simplest food-gathering and hunting tribes have a considerable amount of organizations, bands and bands of chiefs, tribal councils, and local self-government-traits which are not in the culture of poverty.” [Lewis, 180] Those deem primitive are not part of the culture of poverty even though they do not have adequate technology and natural resources. It seems that Lewis really made sure to draw that line of distinction between the poor and the poor that are considered part of the culture of poverty.

The entire article seemed so bleak. Lewis made it seem that those who are part of the culture of poverty have no chance of escaping. Rather than describing them as struggling people, he makes them seem like lifeless beings just existing. Lewis makes them seem like people who have just given up on getting out of their situation because their forefathers couldn’t escape it. Some of the things that he claims are just disturbing.

Summary Two

“Student Fieldworkers in Villager and City” by Gmelch and Gmelch

                Anthropologists must face various adversities when gathering fieldwork. No matter where they venture, adversity will exist. In the article “Student Fieldworkers in Villager and City” by Gmelch and Gmelch, the various adversities are mentioned. The article differentiates between fieldwork in the city and in a village. Fieldwork is both areas are challenging, neither can be deemed easier than the other.  The area in which fieldwork is conducted has both negative and positives, but the main similarity that exists is a student’s ability to gain knowledge from interacting with others.

                The difference between fieldwork in cities and villages is blatant. The first blaring difference is home stays. The families in Barbados were working class and freed slaves. In Tasmania the people were middle classed, living in the suburbs. The differences between the families kept piling up. In Barbados, everyone in the village knew everyone else. They shared a common history and socialized with each other through work, church, and play. The people of the village seemed warm and willing to share amongst each other. However, there were draw backs to being so close knit. “Students also discovered to their dismay that they were sometimes the object of local gossip.” [Gmlech and Gmelch, 86] Students must face the blackening of their names within the village. The reputations that they try so hard to build can be tarnished within seconds. The people of small villages are nosey and do no respect boundaries.

                The negatives of fieldwork in the city seem to outweigh the negatives in the village. In the city students rarely encounter people in which they can gather research when walking around the neighborhood. While in the village, the students are not limited because there is always someone to speak with. However, it is not impossible to gain information through scheduled interviews. “Even by the end of the semester, few students know their host family’s immediate neighbors, and many of these people were probably unaware of their presence.” [Gmlech and Gmelch, 87] The one positive that can be seen through the negative is the fact that reputations are not tarnished. Many would happily work in a city where gathering information is slightly difficult, but not unattainable so they wouldn’t have to face that type of problem. ‘Both projects were well executed and produced some interesting findings.” [Gmlech and Gmelch, 89] The advantage of working in a village does not mean that students working in a city cannot produce work that is up to par.

                I believe that no matter where someone goes there will always be difficulties. Whether it be rumors or the fact that neighbors in a city ignore you. Anthropologists must work against the odds to gain information. Cities and villages have their ups and downs, but there will always be knowledge gained from the experience.

“Urbanism As a Way of Life” by Louis Wirth

In “Urbanism As a Way of Life” by Louis Wirth, the characteristics of a city is taken into consideration. What truly defines a city? What impact does a city have on the behaviors of the people? The negativity within the article is distasteful, but some accusations cannot be argued with. As a city dweller, it opened my eyes to how extremely impersonal living in a city can be. A city is a complex place, defined by many things, and affecting those that dwell in its confines.

A city cannot be defined by one aspect such as population, density, or heterogeneity. A city can be well defined, but not perfectly defined by considering all three characteristics. The size, movement, and mixture of people are what make a city a city. In the article it is considered “arbitrary” to consider an area to be a city just because one of these elements exists. A city can be considered “a small struggling town or a thriving metropolitan center.” [Wirth, 104] Every city has a different set of characteristics that affect social life.

Wirth believes that living in a city has affected our ways of communicating with each other. He considers city dwellers to be strangers sharing the same living area. The larger the amount of people living in the area, the harder it is to create relations, in Wirth’s point of view. “The contacts of the city may indeed be fact-to-face, but they are nevertheless impersonal, superficial, transitory, and segmental.” [Wirth, 108] The people of a city just don’t interact with the people that they see on a day to day basis. The people that travel on the train with them will remain strangers. Throughout the article, Wirth puts an emphasis on how impersonal it is living in a city.

When reading this article, I couldn’t disagree with a lot of things. However, not everything about the cities affect on social life is so negative. I have made friends with many different people outside of my race. However, I do not know my neighbors personally. Sometimes I see people in my building and I have no idea who they are. The city has its negatives and positives, like everything else in life.

“In Urban Danger” by Sally Engle Merry

“In Urban Danger” by Sally Engle Merry, she addresses crimes within an urban neighborhood. In the beginning she addresses Wirth’s article and in a way proves a point mentioned within his piece. “A city is a place of strangers.” [Merry. 199] This statement is only true because people make it true. By holding preconceptions, people make an urban neighborhood as dangerous or as safe as they want it. Perception of fear has a huge impact on how a person lives their life in a high crime urban neighborhood.

In Merry’s fieldwork, she made sure to question victims and criminals. That way she’d have opinions from both points of view.  The thing that stuck out was a person’s perception of danger. Who they thought was dangerous and where they thought was dangerous. Some residents feared for their lives while others walked around without fear. The Chinese residents believed that all the blacks living in the area were criminals which are the reason they lived their lives in fear. While, the blacks were able to single out who was dangerous and who wasn’t. That is the reason they felt little fear walking around the neighborhood at night. If people weren’t strangers towards one other, they would be able to live a somewhat peaceful life. It is hard because everyone holds preconceptions and they find it difficult to look past that.

This article proved to be very helpful because it helped me pick a topic for my ethnographic project. I want to focus on a well off area with a multiracial community in which most of the inhabitants believe that they are safe. I want to find out why they believe their area is so safe and if they would venture to other neighborhoods.

Summary One

The two articles “Anthropological Fieldwork in Cities” and “Networks, Neighborhoods, and Markets” can be considered introductory articles to anthropology for people with little knowledge of the subject. The first article by Foster and Kemper gives a brief history of the way Anthropology developed within America. The second article by Bestor focused on his fieldwork in Japan. It may seem that the articles would be loosely connected, but there is one specific topic that makes them very alike. In the two articles by Foster and Kemper and Bestor, it focuses on the importance of building networks to improve fieldwork.

“Although casual encounters may offer insights into city life, researchers must work at building a network of informants.” [Foster and Kemper, 13] By forming a network and gaining trust the fountain of information available for an anthropologist will grow. For example by gaining the trust and friendship of a local official is extremely beneficial. Through this friendship an anthropologist can gain access to various records and information about the area. The local official can offer information that those of the public may not be aware of. By forming a network an anthropologist increases the chances of gathering beneficial information for his/her studies.

In the article by Bestor, he proves how beneficial creating a network is. “Gradually getting introduced to others in the neighborhood by our friends the Machida’s, by the real estate agent, and by Mr. Fukuda and his family…Acting on Tuner’s advice, I followed where networks lead me.” [Bestor, 23] By forming a friendship with the Machida’s, Bestor was able to find an apartment and form a friendship with the landlord. Because of this friendship he attended various festivals in which he formed relations with the neighborhood leaders. By forming all these relations he was accepted and able to witness the culture and everyday lives of residents first hand.

These articles will prove to be helpful when gathering information for the Ethnographic Report. It shows how useful forming relations and creating networks are. By creating these bonds an anthropologist gains access to information first hand. They are able to experience culture rather than reading about it or viewing it from afar.