Historians have devoted surprisingly little attention to African American urban history ofthe postwar period; especially compared with earlier decades. Correcting this imbalance; African American Urban History since World War II features an exciting mix of seasoned scholars and fresh new voices whose combined efforts provide the first comprehensive assessment of this important subject.The first of this volume’s five groundbreaking sections focuses on black migration and Latino immigration; examining tensions and alliances that emerged between African Americans and other groups. Exploring the challenges of residential segregation and deindustrialization; later sections tackle such topics as the real estate industry’s discriminatory practices; the movement of middle-class blacks to the suburbs; and the influence of black urban activists on national employment and social welfare policies. Another group of contributors examines these themes through the lens of gender; chronicling deindustrialization’s disproportionate impact on women and women’s leading roles in movements for social change. Concluding with a set of essays on black culture and consumption; this volume fully realizes its goal of linking local transformations with the national and global processes that affect urban class and race relations.
#3420995 in Books 2003-01-15Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.00 x 1.00 x 6.00l; 1.26 #File Name: 0226304124272 pages
Review
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful. The Bible as LiteratureBy Michael HoffmanGordis does a remarkable job of illuminating the literary genius behind Puritan bible study; as demarcated by the twin poles of bible reading and preaching. Her analysis of the preaching itself and the use of "collation" and other polemical and expository tools; is most helpful in spotlighting the often overlooked factor of aesthetic pleasure and even entertainment; which early American Christians derived from the intersection of their own impressive biblical literacy with preaching which was more than just "eloquent.""Opening Scripture" is a groundwork for a new discipline in American literature and for kindling renewed interest in becoming once again biblically literate ourselves; in order to experience the kind of joy and edification which Gordis showcases; particulary with regard to the gifted Puritan preacher John Cotton.The fusion of print and spoken word culture was never performed with such virtuosity in America as it was in the 17th century; a fact often overlooked as we moderns obsess almost exclusively over the perceived negatives of all that we class (often erroneously) under the heading; "Puritanical."The informed and engaged constituency which Samuel Adams and other revolutionaries would lead to victory over the West's greatest military power in the 18th century; was rooted in part in the intelligence wrought by the literary universe in which 17th century New England was stepped. One might venture to say that America was never more literate; never brighter than in that era. If this is so; then we might wish to reexamine that time with heightened appreciation. Lisa Gordis' "Opening Scripture" is the book with which to begin the journey.--Michael A. Hoffman IIhistorian of early American bound labor ("They Were White and They Were Slaves")
