The Sociology Book

82

T H E G H E T T O I S

W H E R E T H E B L A C K

P E O P L E L I V E

ELIJAH ANDERSON (1943– )

I

n 2012, Elijah Anderson wrote

“The Iconic Ghetto,” which

argued that many Americans

associate the ghetto with a place

where “the black people live.” He

said that to these same Americans,

the ghetto symbolizes a lawless,

impoverished, drug-infested,

chaotic area of the city, ruled

by violence. So when they think

of “black people,” they imagine

them as immoral, drug-addicted,

criminal “hoods,” deserving of

prejudice and discrimination.

When white people see a black stranger in public...

...they associate them with “the ghetto,” with

lower-class status, criminality, violence, and poverty.

Middle-class black

people may overcome this

stigma by emulating the

upper class and providing

proof of address.

Working-class black

people are unable to

escape the stigma and

discrimination.

“The ghetto” acts as a reference point

to interpret black identity.

IN CONTEXT

FOCUS

The iconic ghetto

KEY DATES

1903 W.E.B. Du Bois says the

problem of the 20th century is

the problem of the color line.

Early 20th century Blacks

migrate from the rural South

to cities throughout the US.

1920 Black political leader

Marcus Garvey holds an

international convention in

Harlem, the traditionally black

area of New York City.

1960s There is a “white flight”

from areas in the US where

black people live, leading to

“black ghettos.”

1972 The Equal Employment

Opportunity Act is passed in

the US.

1992 Riots take place in Los

Angeles after police are filmed

beating a black motorist,

Rodney King, and then

acquitted of his assault.