essay

The southeast Dearborn Arab community struggles for survival against urban 'renewal'

arabic speaking communities in american citiesStaten Island, N.Y. • Published In 1974 • Pages: 53-83

By: Aswad, Barbara C..

Abstract
In this essay, which deals with the Arab-American community of Southend in Dearborn, Michigan, we see an example of the abuses of 'urban renewal'. In this case it has attempted to destroy a primary community of low and middle income laborers. Aswad concludes that 'the community has been characterized by overlapping social, economic and psychological relations. The people identify strongly with the community and most do not want to leave it or see its destruction, they would like to see it renewed. The pressures of the city are forcing divisions as well as a new community reorganization. The groups that will benefit from the community's destruction are big business and the more affluent Dearborn residents' (pp. 78-79).The author believes that this is a clear case of class dominance and exploitation and seems to reflect strong overtones of ethnic discrimination. The political dialogue between the city and the community over this issue eventually resulted in a class action lawsuit filed against the city by the community.
Subjects
Interviewing in research
External migration
Environmental quality
Settlement patterns
Housing
Community structure
Cities
Litigation
Ethnosociology
culture
Arab Americans
HRAF PubDate
1999
Region
North America
Sub Region
Regional, Ethnic and Diaspora Cultures
Document Type
essay
Evaluation
Creator Type
Ethnologist
Document Rating
5: Excellent Primary Data
Analyst
John Beierle ; 1998
Field Date
1970s
Coverage Date
ca. 1920s - 1970s
Coverage Place
Southend area, Dearborn, Michigan, United States
Notes
Barbara C. Aswad
Includes bibliographical references (p. 80-83)
LCCN
73088936
LCSH
Arab Americans