As a previous student of sociology, I understood much of what these authors were discussing and the frameworks they mentioned. It was really interesting to read about different theories and paradigms surrounding urban sociology – especially because it’s been over a year since I’ve taken a class in sociology. I believe that structure is important to take into account when considering society, so to read both these authors analyzing 1) urbanization and 2) black political identity (which are two increasingly important concepts) through a structural lens was super insightful.

Urbanization is a process that started with the Industrial Revolution and hasn’t stopped; considering that a majority of the world’s population lives in cities (UN) it is absolutely vital that we understand the urban environment. I mean this speaking ecologically, politically, economically, and historically. So the first reading, I believe, was useful for students beginning to view the urban environment in a scholarly fashion.

I was (quite unabashedly) more interested in the second reading, however. In my sociology class we spent a lot of time discussing Moynihan and the Culture of Poverty. I spent so much time critiquing this concept my first semester that when I read the Black Corona piece, I immediately accepted his argument. It is ludicrous the way in which black community is portrayed, not only by the media, but by scholars as well. The fact that black Americans are so acutely marginalized, and the richness of their diversity disregarded entirely in favor of false, insidious stereotypes, leaves no question as to why riots like Ferguson happen. Somethin’s gotta give.

Questions:

1) Which perspective is more applicable to New York City as it is today? What are the merits to each?

2) What shapes the way mainstream society views the black community? What are the legacies that led to this? How can this be changed?