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

Aswad, Barbara C.

essay

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

arabic speaking communities in american cities • Staten 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.

Interviewing in research

External migration

Environmental quality

HRAF PubDate

1999